Gilligan's Island star, Dawn Wells, is best known for her role as Mary Ann Summers. She was born in Reno, Nevada and her stage name is HALE. Bob Denver played the role of Gilligan, a bumbling first mate. He was born in New Rochelle, New York and his stage name was Bob Denver. Bob Milehighcity was the actor who played the Professor on the show. He was born in Des Moines, Iowa and his stage name was Russell Johnson.