Stranded No More: Mary Ann of ‘Gilligan’s Island’ Fame Is Helped by Kind Strangers

Actress Dawn Wells, who played character Mary Ann Summers on the popular ’60s sitcom “Gilligan’s Island,” has fallen on hard times.

A good friend of the actress started a GoFundMe page seeking financial help from fans, to allow Wells to pay her medical bills and move into an assisted living facility.

“Where did the time go? I don’t know how this happened,” said Wells in a Facebook post this week.

“I thought I was taking all the proper steps to ensure my golden years. Now, here I am, no family, no husband, no kids and no money,” she added on Wednesday.

The GoFundMe page started by a “dear friend with a big heart,” Dugg Kirkpatrick, has garnered some $60,000 of its $180,000 goal since it first launched last week.

Wells lost her life savings in the 2008 banking crash, the page indicates.

Kirkpatrick also noted that his actor friend was hospitalized for two months following an accident.

Kirkpatrick says Wells needs $194,000 to “alleviate penalties by the IRS … and to pay hospital costs.”

Related: ‘Smokey and the Bandit’ Star Burt Reynolds Is Dead at 82

In an update to the page on Wednesday, Kirkpatrick thanked donors for their help. He announced that Wells is “thrilled, humbled and flattered,” and that he found an apartment for her in a retirement village in Glendale, California.

“I’m grateful that God has given me so many friends and fans who care, or it would all be too … overwhelming … I am grateful to any of my fans who are willing to offer support,” said Wells in her Facebook post.

In a Twitter post, the actress also said, “Wow! I am amazed at the kindness and affection I have received.”

Wow! I am amazed at the kindness and affection I have received from the current outpouring in regards to the Go Fund Me Page that is grabbing so much attention and want to address it. A dear dear friend of… https://t.co/ZAH4IkX0Yl

— Dawn Wells (@therealmaryann) September 6, 2018

Fans took to social media to express their good wishes for the beloved star.

Wishing you well. You entertained us for many years and you deserve nothing but happiness. Sending you love. Thanks for the memories❤

— Cheryl DeGraff (@CherylDeGraff) September 6, 2018

This fan has always loved you, and wishes you the very best, now and always! When I was a child, I grew up alone, and Maryann was my pretend sister! I hope all goes well for you! Keep the faith, Dawn, and remember you're loved!??

— Carly The Nasty Genius Woman #Resist (@ondinemonet) September 6, 2018

This is a very sad story – Dawn Wells is a nice lady, happy I had the chance to interview her once. Help her out if you can: https://t.co/PduTpUT3Gm

— Joseph Dickerson (@JosephDickerson) September 5, 2018

See Dawn Wells talk about a book she wrote in the video below:

Michele Blood is a Flemington, New Jersey-based freelance writer and a regular contributor to LifeZette.