Alan Hale, Jr.
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Alan Hale Jr. (born Alan Hale Mackahan, March 8, 1921The date of birth given by both the California Birth Index (as Alan Hale Mackahan) and Social Security Death Index (as Alan J Hale, SSN 548-28-2004) is 8 March 1921. – January 2, 1990) was an American movie and television actor, famously known for his role as the Skipper Jonas Grumby on the cult sitcom Gilligan's Island, as well as for his many supporting roles in movies. He was the son of actor Alan Hale Sr.. After his father's death in 1950, he was credited in roles as simply "Alan Hale".
He was born in Los Angeles, California, after his father had already begun a career in silent movies in Hollywood. His father enjoyed a much more successful film career as a supporting character actor, continuing into sound films opposite Clark Gable and Errol Flynn, among many others. The two Hales looked almost exactly alike.
Hale, Jr. performed in his first movie as a baby. In adulthood, he made a smooth transition to a full career and continued to act until his death. In his adult career he was noted for his supporting character roles in such movies as Up Periscope, The Lady Takes a Flyer, The Giant Spider Invasion and The West Point Story. He also appeared in many westerns, and starred in the 1958 TV series Casey Jones.
He died in Los Angeles from respiratory failure due to cancer.
The popularity of Gilligan's Island "typecast" its actors and they had difficulty finding other work. Alan Hale often said he didn't mind being so closely identified with the Skipper. He owned a very popular restaurant and would often greet customers in his "Skipper" hat. Alan Hale was known for his great love of children. When he was dying of cancer, he learned there was a sick child in the same hospital who loved the show. He went to see the boy and said "The Skipper's here, son, everything is going to be all right".
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