Trivia

Schafer had said she initially did the pilot to Gilligan's Island (1964), for the free trip to Hawaii. Afterwards, Schafer was in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, on holiday when she got a telegram from the States. She read it and burst into tears. Everyone had thought Schafer's mother (who was ill at the time) had died, and offered their condolences, but Schafer had said no she didn't die, the reason she was crying was because the pilot for "Gilligan's Island" sold, and she had to stay in Los Angeles, and could not move back to New York City.

Although her contract included clauses forbidding certain close -ups and physical movements due to her age, she insisted that her obituary disclose her real age. She said she wanted people to say "she was HOW old?!.

Was engaged to comedic character actor Charles Butterworth in 1946 at the time of his tragic death in a single automobile crash.

Was actually a little over twelve years older than her co-star, Jim Backus when she played his wife Lovey Howell.

Underwent a double mastectomy.

Had played the same character (Mrs. Lovey Howell) on three different series: Gilligan's Island (1964), The New Adventures of Gilligan (1974) and Gilligan's Planet (1982).

Her parents, Jennie Elizabeth (Tim) and Charles Emanual Schafer, were both from Jewish families (from Germany and England).

Was the first woman cast member of Gilligan's island to pass away.