Natalie Schafer

Known for ActingBorn 1900-11-05Died 1991-04-10Red Bank, New Jersey, USA

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).Read more

Movies & web series

The Canterville Ghost

I Love Lucy

Three's Company

The Ford Television Theatre

Kraft Television Theatre

Bernardine

Crazy like a Fox

Gilligan's Island

Vega$

Sherlock Holmes

77 Sunset Strip

Forever, Darling

McMillan & Wife

CHiPs

The Snake Pit

The Castaways on Gilligan's Island

The Beverly Hillbillies

Simon & Simon

ABC Stage 67

Mannix

The Brady Bunch

Anastasia

Trapper John, M.D.

The Petrified Forest

Route 66

Thriller

Lux Video Theatre

The Day of the Locust

Matt Houston

Flying High

The Philco Television Playhouse

Molly and Me

Letter to Loretta

Guestward, Ho!

Wonder Man

Caught

The Love Boat

Here's Boomer

Secret Beyond the Door

The Law and the Lady

Mayberry R.F.D.

Reunion in France

Gilligan's Planet

Marriage Is a Private Affair

Payment on Demand

Oh, Men! Oh, Women!

Topper

Casanova's Big Night