Alan Hale Jr. (March 8, 1921 – January 2, 1990) was a beloved American actor who became one of the most iconic and recognizable faces in television history through his legendary portrayal of the lovable, blustery Skipper (Jonas Grumby) on the classic 1960s sitcom, Gilligan’s Island.
The son of the famed character actor Alan Hale Sr., he followed in his father’s footsteps, becoming a prolific supporting player in his own right. For over two decades before his sitcom fame, he was a staple in films and television, appearing in more than 200 productions, often in Westerns, and starring in the syndicated series Casey Jones.
From 1964 to 1967, Hale played Captain Jonas Grumby, “The Skipper,” the hearty but often exasperated leader of the castaways. The role made him an international star. After the show ended, he embraced the character completely, frequently making public appearances in his Skipper’s hat and cementing his legacy as the warm and wonderful “Little Buddy” to generations of fans
