Hale was in Utah filming the western Bullet for a Bad Man when he received the casting call for Gilligan. According to the book Surviving Gilligan’s Island, Hale snuck off set on horseback. He then hitchhiked his way to Las Vegas, got on a flight to Los Angeles, and made his audition.
Thankfully, the extra effort paid off and Hale landed the role, beating out some tough competition: future All in the Family star Carroll O’Connor also auditioned.
Natalie Schafer opens her eyes
In one memorable Gilligan’s Island episode, Gilligan becomes a butterfly collector when an expert visits the island, more interested in butterflies than rescuing the stranded seven. Naturally, the castaways hatch a plan to trick the expert into helping them get back home.
They even try to get him to drink alcohol, hoping it will work in their favor. But things take a hilarious turn when they all get so drunk on fermented berry juice that they pass out.
