Gilligan’s Island, The Brady Bunch: TV Families Mourn Sherwood Schwartz

In 1991, after the world lost three of the Gilligan’s Island castaways — Alan Hale Jr., Jim Backus, and Natalie Schafer — Sherwood Schwartz ran this ad in both The Hollywood Reporter and Variety. He wrote, “I will never forget these wonderful people… And neither will millions of viewers.”

Now, 20 years later, some of the surviving members of the Gilligan and Brady Bunch families are remembering him.

Lloyd J. Schwartz (son and co-producer): “Never was there a kinder man than Sherwood Schwartz… as a son, husband, brother, father, grandfather and in all of his professional relationships. And his talent speaks for itself. It was an honor to have been his son.”

Tina Louise (Ginger Grant): “Sherwood Schwartz brought laughter and comfort to millions of people. Gilligan’s Island was a family. He will be in our hearts forever.”

Florence Henderson (Carol Brady) told THR: “He was a wonderful teacher in life and again, in death, he taught us how to leave with dignity and courage… Sherwood has a wonderful family who so loved and respected him. I know his Brady Bunch family feels the same way.”

Barry Williams (Greg Brady): “As much as Robert Reed was like a dad to me, Sherwood was like a grandpa… The whole Brady family is close and I’m in touch with his family and knew his passing was imminent… I was happy to know he was with his family and as comfortable as possible.”

Maureen McCormick (Marcia Brady): “My mom, father and I would all go to Sherwood for advice because he always had a great answer… He’d tell you that you’d have the answer within; he’d always tell you how to turn something around to make it a positive.”

Susan Olsen (Cindy Brady): “When Sherwood walked on the set, there was never the feeling of ‘Oh the boss is here!’ It was more like somebody just opened the door and let the sunlight in.” In response to Lloyd’s post, she wrote, “It was an honor to have played one of his creations and to have a ‘Daddy Sherwood'”

Robbie Rist (Cousin Oliver): “R.I.P. Sherwood Schwartz. Creator of Gilligan’s Island, It’s About Time, Dusty’s Trail and not one but two gigs I get the honor to still talk about decades later. Thank you, sir. Thank you.”

What do you think? How will you best remember Sherwood Schwartz? Will future generations remember his work?