In a latest interview with Forbes, the 91-year-old Louise revealed that she earned $1,500 per episode over her three seasons on “Gilligan’s Island.” To be clear, this ain’t poverty. In 2025, this could quantity to $15,194 per episode, which, for the 36-episode first season, would’ve set her up with $546,984 for lower than a 12 months’s work. This is not high-roller cash by any means, however it’s greater than sufficient to afford respectable lodging in Los Angeles.
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When it got here to residuals, nevertheless, CBS apparently did Louise soiled. She instructed Forbes that she by no means acquired a cent in residuals, which needed to burn when the present turned a syndication favourite of undemanding sofa potatoes wherever it aired.
She did fare higher than Daybreak Wells, who lacked Louise’s pre-“Gilligan’s Island” notoriety (which included a Golden Globe win for her efficiency in Anthony Mann’s “God’s Little Acre”). For her portrayal of Mary Ann, Wells acquired solely $750 per episode. Once more, this is not dangerous cash per se. In 2025, Wells would’ve earned $270,000 for the primary season, which is a fairly good earnings so far as Los Angeles goes.
Does Louise have any recommendation for younger actors beginning out within the enterprise right this moment? She does, and it is terrific recommendation in the event you’re okay with struggling to make ends meet. In response to Louise, you must do a play. “Do not be apprehensive about getting cash from that,” she instructed Forbes. “You may should have one other job of some type, however I’d say to be seen, whether or not you made cash or not, do a play. Simply do one thing it’s important to do each single evening. I feel you bloom higher beginning on the stage. That is what I did.”
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Clearly, if that play is on Broadway or in a distinguished off-Broadway theater, you will make an honest amount of cash. If, nevertheless, it is a two-week run in a group theater manufacturing, you will pull down as a lot as Louise acquired in “Gilligan’s Island” residuals.
