<Tr> <Th> Years active </Th> <Td> 1927--1990 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Spouse (s) </Th> <Td> Louis Calhern (m . 1933; div. 1942) </Td> </Tr> <P> Natalie Schafer (November 5, 1900--April 10, 1991) was an American actress of film, stage and television, probably best known for her role as "Lovey Howell" on the sitcom Gilligan's Island (1964--67). </P> <P> Natalie Schafer was born November 5, 1900 in New Jersey . She was the eldest of the three children of Jennie (née Tim; family name originally Tein) and Charles Emanual Schafer, both of German Jewish descent . She began her career as an actress on Broadway before moving to Los Angeles in 1941 to work in films . </P>

Who played mrs howell on gilligan's island