Natalie Schafer
Biography
Natalie Schafer was an American actress born on November 5, 1900, in Red Bank, New Jersey, and she died on April 10, 1991. She is best known today for her role as Lovey Howell on the sitcom Gilligan's Island, which aired from 1964 to 1967. Schafer began her career as an actress on Broadway, appearing in 17 plays between 1927 and 1959, typically in supporting roles. Most of her Broadway appearances were in short-run plays, with exceptions including Lady in the Dark, The Doughgirls, and Romanoff and Juliet. She also appeared in a revival of Six Characters in Search of an Author directed by Sir Tyrone Guthrie, as well as in stock and regional productions. In 1941, she moved to Los Angeles to work in films.
Career overview
Natalie Schafer was an American actress born in Red Bank, New Jersey, on November 5, 1900. She is best known today for her television role as Lovey Howell on the sitcom Gilligan's Island, which ran from 1964 to 1967.
Schafer began her career as an actress on Broadway before moving to Los Angeles in 1941 to begin working in films. Between 1927 and 1959, she appeared on Broadway in 17 plays, frequently performing in supporting roles. Most of her Broadway appearances were in short-run productions, though there were exceptions. Her longer-run Broadway appearances included Lady in the Dark from 1941 to 1942, The Doughgirls from 1942 to 1944, and Romanoff and Juliet from 1957 to 1958. Additionally, she was seen in a revival of Six Characters in Search of an Author, which was directed by Sir Tyrone Guthrie between 1955 and 1956. Her theatrical work also included appearances in stock and regional productions.
Over the course of her career, Schafer accumulated numerous acting credits in film and television. She passed away on April 10, 1991, at the age of 90.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about Natalie Schafer.
Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
78 titles- The Unknown Story (2022) as Self - archive footage
- I'm Dangerous Tonight (1990) as Grandmother
- Beverly Hills Brats (1989) as Lillian
- Crazy like a Fox (1984) as Leonna Felspar
- Matt Houston (1982) as Vonda Moran
- Gilligan's Planet (1982) as Eunice "Lovey" Wentworth Howell (voice)
- Simon & Simon (1981)
- Here's Boomer (1981)
- The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island (1981) as Lovey Wentworth Howell
- Trapper John, M.D. (1979)
- The Castaways on Gilligan's Island (1979) as Lovey Howell
- Vega$ (1978) as Charlotte Hunt
- Flying High (1978)
- Rescue from Gilligan's Island (1978) as Lovey Wentworth Howell
- The Love Boat (1977) as Mrs. Hartnett
- The Love Boat (1977) Writer
- Three's Company (1977)
- CHiPs (1977)
- The Day of the Locust (1975) as Audrey Jennings
- The New Adventures of Gilligan (1974) as Eunice Wentworth 'Lovey' Howell (voice)
- 40 Carats (1973) as Mrs. Adams
- McMillan & Wife (1971) as Mrs. Roberts
- The Brady Bunch (1969)
- Mayberry R.F.D. (1968) as Cornelia Willoughby
- Mannix (1967) as Bunny Mason
- ABC Stage 67 (1966) as Mrs. Otis
- The Canterville Ghost (1966) as Mrs. Otis
- Gilligan's Island (1964) as Eunice "Lovey" Wentworth Howell
- The Beverly Hillbillies (1962) as Madame Renee
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
- Back Street (1961) as Mrs. Evans
- Susan Slade (1961) as Marian Corbett
- Thriller (1960) as Beatrice Graves
- Route 66 (1960)
- Guestward, Ho! (1960)
- 77 Sunset Strip (1958) as Ellie Fraser
- Oh, Men! Oh, Women! (1957) as Mrs. Day
- If You Knew Elizabeth (1957) as Geneva
- Bernardine (1957) as Madge Beaumont
- Anastasia (1956) as Irina Lissemskaia / Nini
- Forever, Darling (1956) as Millie Opdyke
- Female on the Beach (1955) as Queenie Sorenson
- The Petrified Forest (1955) as Mrs. Chisholm
- Climax! (1954) as Lucrece Durhurst
- Sherlock Holmes (1954)
- Casanova's Big Night (1954) as Signora Foressi
- Letter to Loretta (1953) as Mary
- Letter to Loretta (1953) as Mrs. Hayes
- Topper (1953) as Mrs. Vance
- The Girl Next Door (1953) as Evelyn the maid
- The Ford Television Theatre (1952) as Beatrice Trent
- Mr. & Mrs. North (1952)
- Just Across the Street (1952) as Gertrude Medford
- I Love Lucy (1951) as Phoebe Emerson
- Payment on Demand (1951) as Mrs. Edna Blanton
- Take Care of My Little Girl (1951) as Cookie Clark
- The Law and the Lady (1951) as Pamela Pemberson
- Callaway Went Thataway (1951) as Martha Lorrison
- Lux Video Theatre (1950) as Blanche
- Lux Video Theatre (1950) as Gertrude Medford
- Lux Video Theatre (1950) as Julie
- Caught (1949) as Dorothy Dale
- The Philco Television Playhouse (1948)
- The Snake Pit (1948) as Mrs. Stuart
- The Time of Your Life (1948) as Society Lady
- Kraft Television Theatre (1947)
- Repeat Performance (1947) as Eloise Shaw
- Secret Beyond the Door (1947) as Edith Potter
- Dishonored Lady (1947) as Ethel Royce
- The Other Love (1947) as Dora Shelton
- Wonder Man (1945) as Mrs. Hume
- Keep Your Powder Dry (1945) as Harriet Corwin
- Molly and Me (1945) as Kitty Goode-Burroughs
- Masquerade in Mexico (1945) as Irene Denny
- Marriage Is a Private Affair (1944) as Irene Selworth
- Reunion in France (1942) as Frau Amy Schroeder (uncredited)
- The Body Disappears (1941) as Mrs. Lunceford
- The Poor Fish (1930) as Daisy
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Natalie Schafer best known for?
Natalie Schafer is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including I'm Dangerous Tonight (1990), Crazy like a Fox (1984), Matt Houston (1982), Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927).
When and where was Natalie Schafer born?
Natalie Schafer was born on November 5, 1900 in Red Bank, New Jersey, USA. They passed away on April 10, 1991.
How many credits does Natalie Schafer have?
Natalie Schafer has accumulated over 78 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1930 to 2022.
What is Natalie Schafer's background in cinema and television?
Natalie Schafer was an American actress born on November 5, 1900, in Red Bank, New Jersey, and she died on April 10, 1991. She is best known today for her role as Lovey Howell on the sitcom Gilligan's Island, which aired from 1964 to 1967. Schafer began her career as an actress on Broadway, appearing in 17 plays betwee...
Natalie Schafer by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- I Love Lucy (1951) as Phoebe Emerson — aged about 50
- The Ford Television Theatre (1952) as Beatrice Trent — aged about 51
- Kraft Television Theatre (1947) — aged about 46
- Three's Company (1977) — aged about 76
- Gilligan's Island (1964) as Eunice "Lovey" Wentworth Howell — aged about 63
- Crazy like a Fox (1984) as Leonna Felspar — aged about 83
What viewers say
No comments yet. Be the first to share your take on Natalie Schafer.