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The son of the great character actor (and Errol Flynn sidekick) Alan Hale, Alan Hale Jr. (he dropped the Jr. after his father passed away) was literally born into the movies. Hale did his first movie as a baby and continued to act until his death. Unlike other child actors, Hale made a smooth transition in the movies and starred in several classics like Up Periscope (1959), The Lady Takes a Flyer (1958) and The West Point Story (1950), as well as many westerns.
He did a lot of television guest appearances as well before getting his role as The Skipper on the cult comedy "Gilligan's Island" (1964). After the show went off the air, Hale continued to act and even teamed up with Gilligan co-star Bob Denver in the "The Good Guys" (1968), a CBS-TV comedy that lasted only two years. After that ended, Hale kept busy acting in guest shots and maintained his business interests which included a restaurant and travel agency.
I've never been one of those actors who has touted myself as a fascinating human being. I had to decide early on whether I was to be an actor or a personality.
Robert De Niro
Unlike other cast members of "Gilligan's Island" (1964), Alan Hale, Jr. enjoyed the image that his role on the show gave him. This included usually wearing a skipper's cap at most times, donating his used ones for charity purposes.
Alan Hale, Jr.
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Alan Hale Mackahan Jr
8 March 1921, Los Angeles, California
2 January 1990, Los Angeles, California
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Son of Alan Hale.
Sometime after his father's death, 'Alan Hale Jr.' dropped the "Jr" and became professionally known as 'Alan Hale'.
Best known as the skipper on "Gilligan's Island" (1964).
Ashes scattered at sea.
According to "Gilligan's Island" (1964) creator Sherwood Schwartz, he was having trouble casting the right actor for the part of the Skipper. Several had auditioned (including Carroll O'Connor) but Schwartz couldn't find the right guy. While he was having dinner in a Hollywood restaurant, he noticed Alan Hale Jr. dressed in a Civil War uniform, having dinner. Schwartz liked what he saw in Hale and began planning on casting him for the Skipper.
Served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II.
Used to own and operate a popular restaurant "Alan Hale's Lobster Barrel" on La Cienega Blvd's "Restaurant Row" in Los Angeles. He would often greet guests dressed as "The Skipper".
Used to own a travel agency after he closed his restaurant.
Brother of Karen Hale Wookey
Played a character called "Gilligan" in an episode of the TV series "Batman" (1966).
He addressed "Barney Fife" as "Little Buddy" in January 1962 guest appearance as "Jeff Pruitt" on "The Farmer Takes a Wife" episode of the "The Andy Griffith Show" (1960). He used the same nickname for Gilligan 2 years later.
While battling cancer, he lost a lot of weight. When a child inquired about his weight loss, Hale simply told him that he was going to be playing Gilligan in a new Gilligan's Island show.
While playing Ned Brown in "The Wild Wild West" (1965) episode, "The Night of the Sabatini Death", he told a cast member he was going to "relax on my own private desert island.", which was followed by a snippet of the "Gilligan's Island" (1964) theme song.
It was while filming Bullet for a Badman (1964) that he got his casting call for "Gilligan's Island" (1964). He had to ride out of Zions National Park in St. George, Utah, on horseback to the highway and hitchhike to Las Vegas to fly out to the interview.
Grandfather of Samantha Hale.
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