
Natalie Schafer
Natalie Schafer (November 5, 1900 – April 10, 1991) was an American actress, best known today for her role as Lovey Howell on the sitcom Gilligan's Island (1964–1967). Schafer began her career as an actress on Broadway before moving to Los Angeles in 1941 to work in films. She appeared on Broadway in 17 plays between 1927 and 1959, often playing supporting roles. Most of those appearances were in short-run plays, with the exceptions of Lady in the Dark (1941–42), The Doughgirls (1942–44), and Romanoff and Juliet (1957–58). She was seen in a revival of Six Characters in Search of an Author, directed by Sir Tyrone Guthrie (1955–56). She also appeared in stock and regional productions, including the off-Broadway production The Killing of Sister George with Claire Trevor in the title role. She also guest-starred in TV productions beginning in the 1950s, such as an episode (“The Shy Ballerina”) of Sherlock Holmes, and in "The Charm School" episode of I Love Lucy, both in 1954. Schafer performed in many films, usually portraying sophisticates. On TV, her roles included "Lovey Howell" on Gilligan's Island from 1964–67. She reprised her role in three made-for-television spin-off films after the show ended: Rescue from Gilligan's Island (1978), The Castaways on Gilligan's Island (1979), and The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island (1981). She also voiced Lovey Howell on the animated spinoffs, The New Adventures of Gilligan from 1974–77 and Gilligan's Planet from 1982–83. In 1969, Schafer appeared in The Survivors—a high-profile prime time soap opera aired by the ABC television network. Despite the presence of movie stars like Lana Turner, Kevin McCarthy and George Hamilton, the show was a ratings failure and lasted only one season. For the 1971–1972 television season, Schafer joined the cast of the CBS daytime serial, Search for Tomorrow, portraying Helen Collins, mother of Wade and Clay Collins. Immediately following that role, she played Augusta Roulland on another daytime soap, Love of Life. Her final performance was in the 1990 made-for-television horror film I'm Dangerous Tonight. She guest-starred as well on many other television series, including Goodyear Playhouse/Philco Playhouse ("The Sisters", with Grace Kelly, 1951), I Love Lucy (1954), Producers' Showcase ("The Petrified Forest", 1955), Guestward, Ho! (1960), The Beverly Hillbillies (1964), Mayberry RFD (1970), Mannix (1972), The Brady Bunch (1974), Phyllis (1976), Three's Company (1978), and The Love Boat (1979).
74 acting credits
Acting · 74

Mannix
1967

The Mike Douglas Show
1961

The Love Boat
1977

The Beverly Hillbillies
1962

The Philco Television Playhouse
1948

Climax!
1954

Simon & Simon
1981

Route 66
1960

I Love Lucy
1951

Trapper John, M.D.
1979

Three's Company
1977

Thriller
1960

CHiPs
1977

77 Sunset Strip
1958

Matt Houston
1982

Vega$
1978

The Brady Bunch
1969

Gilligan's Island
1964

The Ford Television Theatre
1952

McMillan & Wife
1971

Mayberry R.F.D.
1968

Crazy like a Fox
1984

Kraft Television Theatre
1947
Lux Video Theatre
1950

ABC Stage 67
1966

Mr. & Mrs. North
1952

Flying High
1978

Topper
1953

Letter to Loretta
1953

Sherlock Holmes
1954

Here's Boomer
1981

Guestward, Ho!
1960

The New Adventures of Gilligan
1974

Gilligan's Planet
1982

40 Carats
1973

The Day of the Locust
1975

Anastasia
1956

Wonder Man
1945

Secret Beyond the Door
1947

Reunion in France
1942

The Snake Pit
1948

Rescue from Gilligan's Island
1978

Caught
1949

Repeat Performance
1947

The Law and the Lady
1951

The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island
1981

Casanova's Big Night
1954

Forever, Darling
1956

Callaway Went Thataway
1951

The Castaways on Gilligan's Island
1979

The Other Love
1947

I'm Dangerous Tonight
1990

Dishonored Lady
1947

Beverly Hills Brats
1989

The Time of Your Life
1948

Female on the Beach
1955

Payment on Demand
1951

Back Street
1961

The Body Disappears
1941

Molly and Me
1945

Bernardine
1957

Oh, Men! Oh, Women!
1957

Susan Slade
1961

Take Care of My Little Girl
1951

The Girl Next Door
1953

The Petrified Forest
1955

Masquerade in Mexico
1945

Marriage Is a Private Affair
1944

The Unknown Story
2022

Keep Your Powder Dry
1945

Just Across the Street
1952

If You Knew Elizabeth
1957

The Poor Fish
1930
The Canterville Ghost
1966