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Natalie Schafer
Actor

Natalie Schafer

5 Nov 1900Born
10 Apr 1991Died
90Age at death
72Credits

Biography

Natalie Schafer (November 5, 1900 – April 10, 1991) was an American actress, best known today for her role as Lovey Howell on the sitcom Gilligan's Island (1964–1967).

Schafer began her career as an actress on Broadway before moving to Los Angeles in 1941 to work in films. She appeared on Broadway in 17 plays between 1927 and 1959, often playing supporting roles. Most of those appearances were in short-run plays, with the exceptions of Lady in the Dark (1941–42), The Doughgirls (1942–44), and Romanoff and Juliet (1957–58). She was seen in a revival of Six Characters in Search of an Author, directed by Sir Tyrone Guthrie (1955–56).

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She also appeared in stock and regional productions, including the off-Broadway production The Killing of Sister George with Claire Trevor in the title role. She also guest-starred in TV productions beginning in the 1950s, such as an episode (“The Shy Ballerina”) of Sherlock Holmes, and in "The Charm School" episode of I Love Lucy, both in 1954.

Schafer performed in many films, usually portraying sophisticates. On TV, her roles included "Lovey Howell" on Gilligan's Island from 1964–67. She reprised her role in three made-for-television spin-off films after the show ended: Rescue from Gilligan's Island (1978), The Castaways on Gilligan's Island (1979), and The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island (1981). She also voiced Lovey Howell on the animated spinoffs, The New Adventures of Gilligan from 1974–77 and Gilligan's Planet from 1982–83.

In 1969, Schafer appeared in The Survivors—a high-profile prime time soap opera aired by the ABC television network. Despite the presence of movie stars like Lana Turner, Kevin McCarthy and George Hamilton, the show was a ratings failure and lasted only one season. For the 1971–1972 television season, Schafer joined the cast of the CBS daytime serial, Search for Tomorrow, portraying Helen Collins, mother of Wade and Clay Collins. Immediately following that role, she played Augusta Roulland on another daytime soap, Love of Life. Her final performance was in the 1990 made-for-television horror film I'm Dangerous Tonight.

She guest-starred as well on many other television series, including Goodyear Playhouse/Philco Playhouse ("The Sisters", with Grace Kelly, 1951), I Love Lucy (1954), Producers' Showcase ("The Petrified Forest", 1955), Guestward, Ho! (1960), The Beverly Hillbillies (1964), Mayberry RFD (1970), Mannix (1972), The Brady Bunch (1974), Phyllis (1976), Three's Company (1978), and The Love Boat (1979).

Known for

Filmography

  1. 1990I'm Dangerous TonightFilm: Grandmother
  2. 1989Beverly Hills BratsFilm: Lillian
  3. 1984Crazy like a FoxSeries: Leonna Felspar (1 episode)
  4. 1982Matt HoustonSeries: Vonda Moran (1 episode)
  5. 1982Gilligan's PlanetSeries: Eunice "Lovey" Wentworth Howell (voice) (13 episodes)
  6. 1981Simon & SimonSeries (1 episode)
  7. 1981Here's BoomerSeries (1 episode)
  8. 1981The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's IslandFilm: Lovey Wentworth Howell
  9. 1979Trapper John, M.D.Series (2 episodes)
  10. 1979The Castaways on Gilligan's IslandFilm: Lovey Howell
  11. 1978Rescue from Gilligan's IslandFilm: Lovey Wentworth Howell
  12. 1978Flying HighSeries (1 episode)
  13. 1978Vega$Series: Charlotte Hunt (2 episodes)
  14. 1977The Love BoatSeries: Mrs. Hartnett, Writer (2 episodes)
  15. 1977CHiPsSeries (1 episode)
  16. 1977Three's CompanySeries (1 episode)
  17. 1975The Day of the LocustFilm: Audrey Jennings
  18. 1974The New Adventures of GilliganSeries: Eunice Wentworth 'Lovey' Howell (voice) (32 episodes)
  19. 197340 CaratsFilm: Mrs. Adams
  20. 1971McMillan & WifeSeries: Mrs. Roberts (1 episode)
  21. 1969The Brady BunchSeries (1 episode)
  22. 1968Mayberry R.F.D.Series: Cornelia Willoughby (1 episode)
  23. 1967MannixSeries: Bunny Mason (1 episode)
  24. 1966The Canterville GhostFilm: Mrs. Otis
  25. 1966ABC Stage 67Series: Mrs. Otis (1 episode)
  26. 1964Gilligan's IslandSeries: Lovey Howell (98 episodes)
  27. 1962The Beverly HillbilliesSeries: Madame Renee (1 episode)
  28. 1961Susan SladeFilm: Marian Corbett
  29. 1961Back StreetFilm: Mrs. Evans
  30. 1960Route 66Series (1 episode)
  31. 1960Guestward, Ho!Series (1 episode)
  32. 1960ThrillerSeries: Beatrice Graves (1 episode)
  33. 195877 Sunset StripSeries: Ellie Fraser (1 episode)
  34. 1957BernardineFilm: Madge Beaumont
  35. 1957If You Knew ElizabethFilm: Geneva
  36. 1957Oh, Men! Oh, Women!Film: Mrs. Day
  37. 1956AnastasiaFilm: Irina Lissemskaia / Nini
  38. 1956Forever, DarlingFilm: Millie Opdyke
  39. 1955Female on the BeachFilm: Queenie Sorenson
  40. 1955The Petrified ForestFilm: Mrs. Chisholm
  41. 1954Sherlock HolmesSeries (1 episode)
  42. 1954Climax!Series: Lucrece Durhurst (1 episode)
  43. 1954Casanova's Big NightFilm: Signora Foressi
  44. 1953TopperSeries: Mrs. Vance (1 episode)
  45. 1953Letter to LorettaSeries: Mary, Mrs. Hayes (1 episode)
  46. 1953The Girl Next DoorFilm: Evelyn the maid
  47. 1952Mr. & Mrs. NorthSeries (1 episode)
  48. 1952The Ford Television TheatreSeries: Beatrice Trent (1 episode)
  49. 1952Just Across the StreetFilm: Gertrude Medford
  50. 1951Callaway Went ThatawayFilm: Martha Lorrison
  51. 1951I Love LucySeries: Phoebe Emerson (1 episode)
  52. 1951The Law and the LadyFilm: Pamela Pemberson
  53. 1951Take Care of My Little GirlFilm: Cookie Clark
  54. 1951Payment on DemandFilm: Mrs. Edna Blanton
  55. 1950Lux Video TheatreSeries: Blanche, Gertrude Medford, Julie (1 episode)
  56. 1949CaughtFilm: Dorothy Dale
  57. 1948The Snake PitFilm: Mrs. Stuart
  58. 1948The Philco Television PlayhouseSeries (1 episode)
  59. 1948The Time of Your LifeFilm: Society Lady
  60. 1947Secret Beyond the DoorFilm: Edith Potter
  61. 1947Repeat PerformanceFilm: Eloise Shaw
  62. 1947Dishonored LadyFilm: Ethel Royce
  63. 1947The Other LoveFilm: Dora Shelton
  64. 1947Kraft Television TheatreSeries (1 episode)
  65. 1945Masquerade in MexicoFilm: Irene Denny
  66. 1945Wonder ManFilm: Mrs. Hume
  67. 1945Molly and MeFilm: Kitty Goode-Burroughs
  68. 1945Keep Your Powder DryFilm: Harriet Corwin
  69. 1944Marriage Is a Private AffairFilm: Irene Selworth
  70. 1942Reunion in FranceFilm: Frau Amy Schroeder (uncredited)
  71. 1941The Body DisappearsFilm: Mrs. Lunceford
  72. 1930The Poor FishFilm: Daisy

Biography and credits from TMDB. This website uses TMDB and the TMDB APIs but is not endorsed, certified, or otherwise approved by TMDB.