Tina Louise facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tina Louise
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Louise in 1964
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Tina Blacker
February 11, 1934 New York City, U.S.
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| Years active | 1952–present |
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| Children | Caprice Crane |
Tina Louise (born Tina Blacker on February 11, 1934) is an American actress and singer. She is best known for playing the glamorous movie star Ginger Grant on the popular TV show Gilligan's Island. Tina Louise has had a long career in movies, television, and on stage.
She started acting in the mid-1950s. Her big break came in the 1958 movie God's Little Acre. For this role, she won an award for being a great new actress.
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Early Life and Name
Tina Blacker was born in New York City on February 11, 1934. She was an only child. Her mother, Sylvia, was a fashion model. Her father, Joseph, owned a candy store and later became an accountant. Her parents divorced when she was four years old.
Tina went to schools like PS 6 and Miami University. She is Jewish. The name "Louise" was suggested by her drama teacher in high school. She liked it because she didn't have a middle name.
Acting Career Highlights
Starting Out in Show Business
Tina Louise got her very first role at age two. It was in an advertisement for her father's candy store. When she was 17, she began studying acting, singing, and dancing. She learned at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York.
Her first acting job was in a musical show called Two's Company in 1952. She also appeared in other Broadway shows. These included John Murray Anderson's Almanac and the musical Li'l Abner. She also acted in live TV dramas like Studio One.
Tina Louise also worked as a model. She appeared on the covers of several magazines.
Becoming a Star on Gilligan's Island
Tina Louise made her first movie in 1958, called God's Little Acre. That same year, she was named the "World's Most Beautiful Redhead." She starred in other movies like Day of the Outlaw with Robert Ryan. She often played serious roles.
In 1964, Tina Louise took on the role of movie star Ginger Grant. This was for the TV comedy show Gilligan's Island. She played Ginger for three years. Over time, she felt that the role might limit her future movie career.
After Gilligan's Island ended, she continued to act in movies and TV shows. She appeared in the spy movie The Wrecking Crew (1969). She also starred in The Stepford Wives (1975). Tina Louise did not appear in the Gilligan's Island reunion movies. Other actresses played Ginger in those films.
With the passing of Dawn Wells in December 2020, Tina Louise became the last living main cast member of Gilligan's Island. She has said she loved playing Ginger Grant. She is very thankful to the show's fans for their support. She believes the show brings joy and comfort to many people.
Later Roles and Appearances
Tina Louise continued to take on different kinds of roles. She played a character in the TV show Dallas in 1978–1979. She also appeared in the comedy movie O.C. and Stiggs (1987). Later, she was in Johnny Suede (1992) with Brad Pitt.
In 2014, she starred in the drama Tapestry and the horror film Late Phases. While she didn't join the Gilligan's Island reunion movies, she did make short appearances on talk shows and specials. She reunited with some of her co-stars on an episode of Roseanne in the 1990s.
Music Career
Tina Louise also recorded a music album. It was called It's Time for Tina and came out in 1957. The album included songs like "Tonight Is the Night." It was re-released on CD and iTunes. She also recorded one single for United Artists Records in 1958.
Personal Life and Advocacy
From 1966 to 1971, Tina Louise was married to Les Crane. He was a radio and TV host. They had one daughter named Caprice Crane, who was born in 1970. Caprice later became a TV producer and a writer. Her first book was dedicated to her mother.
Tina Louise is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. She is also a lifetime member of the Actors Studio. She cares deeply about helping children learn to read. Since 1996, she has volunteered at public schools. She has also written three books. Two of them are children's books: When I Grow Up (2007) and What Does a Bee Do? (2009). Her children's books encourage kids to believe in themselves.
Tina Louise once said, "The best movie you'll ever be in is your own life because that's what matters in the end." She has also supported political campaigns, including for John F. Kennedy in 1960 and Hillary Clinton in 2016.
Images for kids
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Louise in 1964
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Louise with Gene Barry from the television series Burke's Law (1964)
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Louise as Ginger Grant in 1966
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Louise in The Happy Ending (1969)
See also
In Spanish: Tina Louise para niños
