Gilligan's Island Star Bob Denver Played 4 Characters On A Hit '80s Fantasy Drama Series

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Like his fellow castaways, Bob Denver will forever be associated with "Gilligan's Island." Although Denver reprised his Gilligan character numerous times, including on a crossover episode of the 1980s' hit "ALF," he also got to play other roles during that decade. In particular, Denver guest-starred on "Fantasy Island," taking on four different characters between 1980 and 1983.

Unlike the never-rescued "Gilligan's Island" castaways, "Fantasy Island" visitors were able to get off their tropical paradise island after a brief stay. For his first appearance in Season 3's "Eagleman," Denver played Morris Binstock, a man who wants to become a literal superhero dad. His comedic skills make him perfect for the role, which involves a whimsical feathered costume. Everything goes according to plan, until Denver appears in this disguise in front of his boss, played by his former "Gilligan's" co-star, Jim Backus. 

In Season 5's "House of Dolls," things start to take on a "Twilight Zone"-like vibe. Denver plays Francis Elkins, a lonely window dresser who gets his wish for a mannequin to come to life (a few years before the famous '80s film "Mannequin" had a similar plot point). An episode later, Denver's back in "The Magic Camera" as photography enthusiast Don Winters, who discovers both the ups and downs of a future-predicting camera and begs for an early departure from the island. 

Denver makes a final appearance in the Season 6 episode "Love Island" as middle school science teacher Tim Kearns, who's wearing a bright orange hat similar to Gilligan's signature headgear. While looking for love, Kearns and his buddy are surprised by some cheesy stop-motion dinos.

Surprisingly, "Fantasy Island" reportedly began as a joke. As executive producer Aaron Spelling recounted in his memoir, "Aaron Spelling: A Prime-Time Life," he was frustrated during a brainstorming session with ABC TV execs. "I said, 'You guys don't want a show. You don't want something with characters or a plot or a story. You just want to have some sort of an island, where you can go and act out all your dumb fantasies." To Spelling's shock, he accidentally hit the nail on the head.

This premise turned out to be a boon for the series' many guest stars, since each episode starts out with new people being welcomed to the island to live out their requests. Due to those outsized casting demands, the show has a repertory feel, with Bob Denver being one of many actors who were asked to make repeat appearances. Before he and Denver reunited on "Fantasy Island," Jim Backus also appeared on the first season. Out of the other "Gilligan's Island" alums, Alan Hale Jr. had three guest roles, and Dawn Wells and Tina Louise each had one.

With so many guests, it was crucial for recurring characters Mr. Roarke (Ricardo Montalban) and Tattoo (Hervé Villechaize) to act as the glue holding the show together. Despite ABC wanting Orson Welles to star as Roarke, Spelling thought Montalban was a better fit (and easier to work with). "He turned out to be one of the greatest quarterbacks on a show we've ever had," Spelling informed The Television Academy in 1999. "Hervé and Ricardo were a team."