<Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards . No cleanup reason has been specified . Please help improve this article if you can . (December 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> The following lists the main and recurring characters of the American television situation comedy Gilligan's Island, created and produced by Sherwood Schwartz . </P> <Ul> <Li> Gilligan (played by Bob Denver) - The title character of the show . Gilligan is a crewman of the S.S. Minnow who worked for the Skipper . He is well - meaning but bumbling, and he always seems to inadvertently mess up the castaways' escape . He wears a red shirt, light blue pants, and a white sailor's hat . </Li> <Li> The Skipper (played by Alan Hale, Jr .) - His real name is Jonas Grumby and he is the captain of the S.S. Minnow . He is well over-weight, leading to numerous fat jokes from Gilligan . Such an instance is when the Professor and Gilligan are helping him into a wetsuit: the Skipper says that he just has big bones, to which Gilligan adds: "and they're covered in big meat ." Whenever he gets frustrated with Gilligan, he swats him in the head with his hat . </Li> <Li> Thurston Howell, III (played by Jim Backus) - Thurston is a millionaire used to luxurious living and never does any work on the island . The only exception is when the castaways believe that Mr. Howell is broke and make him work . He devises many get - rich - quick schemes on the island . Thurston was originally a multi-billionaire until the stock market crash rendered him a multi-millionaire . </Li> <Li> Mrs. Howell (played by Natalie Schafer) - Thurston's wife . She can be more spoiled than Mr. Howell at times, but is always the first to want to try something new . Mr. Howell always calls her "Lovey". Her maiden name is Wentworth . </Li> <Li> Ginger Grant (played by Tina Louise) - A movie star from Hollywood . Ginger usually tries to use tricks from the movies she starred in to solve problems causing other castaways to rescue her from any dangers that befall her . She helps Mary Ann with cooking and dishwashing . </Li> <Li> Professor (played by Russell Johnson): His real name is Roy Hinkley and he was a high school teacher before being stranded on the island . He has numerous scientific degrees and uses his knowledge to build many things on the island out of available materials . He is the most well - educated of the group and always has a logical answer to everything (although not always correct). </Li> <Li> Mary Ann Summers (played by Dawn Wells) - A farm girl from Winfield, Kansas . Not much is known about her before she gets to the island . She is portrayed as a typical "girl next door" and does most of the laundry and cooking with some help from Ginger . She is famous for her coconut cream pies which usually end up on Gilligan's face . She also appears to have a slight crush on Gilligan . </Li> </Ul> <Li> Gilligan (played by Bob Denver) - The title character of the show . Gilligan is a crewman of the S.S. Minnow who worked for the Skipper . He is well - meaning but bumbling, and he always seems to inadvertently mess up the castaways' escape . He wears a red shirt, light blue pants, and a white sailor's hat . </Li>

How many castaways were they on the sitcom gilligan's island
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