‘Gilligan’s Island’ star Tina Louise gets candid on faith-based film ‘Tapestry,’ favorite Hollywood memories

Tina Louise is hoping to bring families together this holiday season.The actress, fondly remembered as glamorous Ginger Grant from “Gilligan’s Island,” is starring in a faith-based film inspired on a true story entitled “Tapestry,” alongside Stephen Baldwin and Burt Young, of “Rocky” fame. The TV star plays a dying matriarch trying to save her troubled son [Baldwin], whose life is falling apart.Tina Louise has no qualms on keeping busy. In fact, she calls acting her passion, one that allows her to connect with fans from across the globe.She spoke with Fox News about “Tapestry,” still being recognized as Ginger, as well as meeting Cary Grant, Dean Martin and Sharon Tate.GRACE KELLY’S SON PRINCE ALBERT SAYS HE’S ALWAYS ‘FELT A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY’ TO PROTECT THE LATE STAR‘HEATHERS’ STAR LISANNE FALK REFLECTS ON HER BOND WITH WINONA RYDER, WHY THE CULT FILM DOESN’T NEED A REBOOTFox News: What was it about “Tapestry” that made you want to get involved?Tina Louise: I thought it was a great film, especially for the holidays. In the film, my son loses his faith because somebody does very bad harm to him to get him fired. Then, everything starts to fall apart as a family. I’m the force that helps brings it back together.It was great working with this cast, especially because we did a lot of improvising, and I liked the message. I’ve done comedy and drama throughout my career, but I felt there was going to be a lot of freedom in this film. There was a lot of encouragement, too.Fox News: What was it like working with Stephen Baldwin?Tina Louise: It was great. He’s very charming and spiritual… I remember one scene where I tried to encourage his character to pull himself together for his family and he asked me to repeat it again *laugh*. I tried to do that.ANNETTE FUNICELLO’S DAUGHTER REFLECTS ON LIFE WITH ORIGINAL MOUSEKETEER: ‘WE LAUGHED UNTIL WE CRIED’
Tina Louise stars in the faith-based film “Tapestry.”
(Bridgestone Multimedia)‘SEX AND THE CITY’ STAR CHRIS NOTH SAYS HE’S ‘MOVED ON’ FROM MR. BIG: ‘I DON’T REALLY FEEL ANYTHING ABOUT HIM’I remember in the Actor’s Studio, we never do anything the same. And Burt Young, he was marvelous to improvise with. I think we all had a wonderful time on set. I know I did. I enjoy it because I just love acting, always have since I was a kid.Fox News: “Tapestry” is a film about faith. How has faith been essential in your own life?Tina Louise: It’s very important… I think it’s so important to think good thoughts and surround yourself with positive energy, good energy, and accepting today for this day… I try to be in the present. I try not to bring yesterday into today. That has always motivated me.Fox News: What has kept you going as an actress?Tina Louise: It’s just my nature. I’ve always kept myself busy up until a few years ago when I was knocked down on the [Hampton] Jitney in 2015. I fractured my coccyx bone and in that situation, you have to lie still for two and a half months. Imagine. And then, it took me a year to recover, but I’ve always kept myself busy.‘I DREAM OF JEANNIE’ STAR BARBARA EDEN SAYS A REBOOT IS ‘A GOOD IDEA’: ‘THEY SHOULD DO IT’
Tina Louise attending The New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children’s 2018 Spring Luncheon at The Pierre Hotel in April 2018, in New York City.
(Jared Siskin/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images, File)JAMES DEAN MOVIE DIRECTORS ORIGINALLY WANTED ELVIS PRESLEY IN CGI CASTINGIt’s very exciting to be in New York. This is where I’m from and I just love being in the city. I love walking in this city. I love getting to museums in the city, getting into theaters, movies, whatever. I just love the accessibility… and the [seasonal] changes that happen here.Fox News: You must have many, but what’s one memory from your time filming “Gilligan’s Island” that still makes you smile today?Tina Louise: The person that made me smile the most was Jim Backus. He was the funniest, most adorable man… It was his birthday and he had a very bad Parkinson’s. There was a big event going on that night for him and they had to carry him up the stairs. I had said to [“Gilligan’s Island” creator] Sherwood [Schwartz] I was going to dance with him that night. He said, “No, you won’t be able to.” When [Jim] sat next to me, I asked him if he wanted to dance. He stood up and I danced with him. I will never forget that night with him.KARL MALDEN’S DAUGHTERS REFLECT ON LIFE WITH THE ‘STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE’ STAR: ‘HE WAS LIKE A BIG CHILD’
The “Gilligan’s Island” cast, from left, Russell Johnson (as the Professor, in white shirt), Alan Hale Jr. (as the Skipper, in blue shirt), Bob Denver (as Gilligan, in red shirt), Dawn Wells (as Mary Ann, hand on chin), Tina Louise (as Ginger, standing), Jim Backus (as Thurston Howell III, holding radio), and Natalie Schafer (as Mrs. Howell).
(CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images, File)KEVIN SORBO DEFENDS FAITH-BASED ACTION FILM ‘THE RELIANT,’ SAYS ‘HOLLYWOOD DOESN’T REALLY OWE ME ANYTHING’Fox News: How does it feel to be a TV icon?Tina Louise: You know, I’ve been told that many times, but I just feel like I have a lot of friends out there. I still receive fan letters from around the world and I love reading every single one of them. Some people call me Ginger and that’s fine. It’s just a good feeling to know that you have so many friends, all over.I really do feel like I have a real sense of friendship with people everywhere I go. I enjoy that, I really do. I just meet a lot of generous spirits and I am grateful. I truly am grateful to just be alive, go outside and be surrounded by a sense of friendliness… It’s not like being shut away in a house in California. It’s not the same… There’s always a reason to interact with humanity.Fox News: What do you hope audiences will get from “Tapestry”?Tina Louise: I hope it will inspire people to get together with their families and not argue about politics *laughs*. I think this is the right time to connect with your loved ones and reach out to those who may be having some difficult times… If you haven’t heard from someone you love, reach out, and just be patient with your family and friends. We just want to try to bring everybody together as much as possible.“Tapestry” is available for streaming on Amazon Prime.
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