Alan Hale Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alan Hale Jr.
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Hale in 1959
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| Born |
Alan Hale MacKahan
March 8, 1921 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Died | January 2, 1990 (aged 68) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1931–1988 |
| Known for | Gilligan's Island as Captain Jonas Grumby (The Skipper) Casey Jones Rescue from Gilligan's Island The Castaways on Gilligan's Island The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island |
| Military Service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Coast Guard |
| Years of service | 1942–1945 |
| Rank | Seaman |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Spouse(s) |
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| Children | 4 |
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Alan Hale Jr. (born Alan Hale MacKahan; March 8, 1921 – January 2, 1990) was an American actor. He was the son of famous actor Alan Hale Sr.. Alan Hale Jr. is best known for playing Captain Jonas Grumby, also called The Skipper, on the popular TV show Gilligan's Island. This show aired from 1964 to 1967. He played the Skipper again in movies and cartoon shows.
Alan Hale Jr. acted in over 200 movies and TV shows, starting in 1941. He often appeared in Western films. He played the Sundance Kid in The Three Outlaws (1956). He also appeared in musical comedies.
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Early Life and Military Service
Alan Hale MacKahan was born in Los Angeles, California. His father, Alan Hale Sr., was a well-known actor. His mother, Gretchen Hartman, was a silent film actress. Alan Hale Jr. even appeared in silent movies when he was a baby!
He served in the United States Coast Guard during World War II. After his father passed away in 1950, he stopped using "Junior" in his name.
Acting Career
In 1931, Alan Hale Jr. started acting on Broadway in a play called Caught Wet. His first movie role was in Wild Boys of the Road in 1933. He also appeared in movies like To the Shores of Tripoli (1942) and When Willie Comes Marching Home (1950). In the late 1940s and early 1950s, he was often in Gene Autry films. He also had a regular role on The Gene Autry Show.
In the early 1950s, Hale started working in television. In 1952, he got the main role in the CBS show Biff Baker, U.S.A.. After that show ended, he appeared as a guest on many other TV series. These included The Range Rider, Annie Oakley, and Fury.
The year 1957 was very busy for Hale on TV. He played Shawnee Bill on the Western show Wanted Dead or Alive. He also played a rancher named Les Bridgeman on Cheyenne. Later that year, Hale got another main role in the TV series Casey Jones. This show ran for 32 episodes. From 1958 to 1960, he had a recurring role on Rory Calhoun's Western show The Texan.
Throughout the early 1960s, Hale continued to guest star on many TV shows. Some of these were Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Rawhide, and The Andy Griffith Show. He was also in two episodes of Perry Mason.
Even with all his TV work, Hale kept acting in movies during the 1950s and 1960s. He had supporting roles in films like The Gunfighter (1950) with Gregory Peck. He also appeared in The Sea Chase (1955) with John Wayne. In 1968, he was in Hang 'Em High with Clint Eastwood.
Gilligan's Island
In 1964, Alan Hale Jr. got the co-starring role as the Skipper on the CBS sitcom Gilligan's Island. The show aired for 98 episodes from 1964 to 1967. This character became the most famous role of Hale's career. The show was so popular that it was often shown again in reruns.
Being so well-known as the Skipper made it hard for the actors to get other types of roles. But Hale didn't mind being linked to the Skipper. The show's creator, Sherwood Schwartz, said that Hale often visited children in hospitals dressed as the Skipper.
Hale played the Skipper again in three TV movies. These were Rescue from Gilligan's Island (1978), The Castaways on Gilligan's Island (1979), and The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island (1981). He also provided the voice for the Skipper in two cartoon versions of the show. These were The New Adventures of Gilligan (1974–1977) and Gilligan's Planet (1982–1983). In 1987, Hale appeared as the Skipper in other sitcoms like The New Gidget and ALF. He also promoted Gilligan's Island reruns with his co-star Bob Denver.
Later Years and Other Ventures
After Gilligan's Island ended, Hale continued his TV career. He guest-starred on shows like The Wild Wild West, Batman, The Love Boat, and Murder, She Wrote.
Hale also acted in more movies during the 1970s and 1980s. He starred in The Giant Spider Invasion (1975). In 1987, he made his last movie appearance in Back to the Beach with Bob Denver.
Besides acting, Alan Hale Jr. also owned a restaurant called Alan Hale's Lobster Barrel. It was located in Los Angeles. He later opened a travel office called Alan Hale's Quality and Leisure Travel.
Personal Life and Death
Alan Hale Jr. was married twice. His first marriage was to Bettina Reed Doerr in 1943. They had four children: Alan Brian, Chris, Lana, and Dorian. They later divorced. In 1964, Hale married Naomi Grace Ingram. They stayed married until his death.
Alan Hale Jr. passed away on January 2, 1990, from thymus cancer. He was 68 years old. His body was cremated, and his ashes were scattered into the Pacific Ocean. His Gilligan's Island co-star Dawn Wells attended the service.
For his work in television, Alan Hale Jr. has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It is located at 6653 Hollywood Boulevard.
See Also
In Spanish: Alan Hale, Jr. para niños
Images for kids
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Hale in 1959
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Hale with Randy Stuart on Biff Baker, U.S.A. (1952)
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Hale and Celeste Holm in Follow the Sun (1961)
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Hale as the Skipper on Gilligan's Island (1964–1967)
