Natalie Schafer didn't care about being rich

Apparently, money isn't everything.

Warner Brothers

We've all thought about how we'd spend our money if we suddenly struck it rich. We're not talking about regular, run-of-the-mill rich; we're talking about absurdly wealthy, the sort of rich where you can buy multiple mansions. This is the kind of wealth that Mr. and Mrs. Howell of Gilligan's Island had before they were swept off with the rest of the castaways. You would think with all that money, they could have afforded a more expensive tour!

But while the Howells were content with their riches, the actors who portrayed them were less focused on wealth, specifically Natalie Schafer, known for playing Lovey Howell. This might strike some as odd, considering Schafer had a rich history of playing aristocratic characters.

"I've always played rich women," said Schafer during an interview with The Standard-Star. "For some reason, I look wealthy and I talk like a rich woman. It's insidious, a luxury, and a dream."

Schafer didn't have quite as fanciful a perspective as Lovey Howell did. "Playing rich is supposed to make you feel very gay," she said. "However, I'm not at all that way. Money doesn't mean fun."

If Schafer were afforded such wealth, she revealed that she'd share her good fortune with others, something that would have scandalized Mrs. Howell.

"I would do things for other people," she said. "To me, that's fun."

Schafer was also set apart from the socialite she played by preferring her own company. Instead of living it up with her fellow Hollywood elites, Schafer actually preferred to spend time by herself. "Solitude is refreshing," she said. "I'm very lazy about keeping up contacts. I hate exercise, but love massages and swimming and the sun."

Look, there's no rule that says that an actor must be exactly like the character they play, and it's a welcome breath of fresh air to learn that Schafer was more interested in sharing the wealth instead of hoarding it. Is it too much to ask that she share a bit of wealth with us?

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8 Comments

Blcakandwhitetvfan 14 days ago
I have read she only reluctantly took the role as it meant 2 weeks in Hawaii! She was certain the series would flop and it would only be a few weeks of her time. She flew to LA from NY every week to do filming once the series took off. And she was indeed very reclusive, hated Hollywood and all the parties and fake socializing.
tn101 14 days ago
What a lovely woman. And knew how to live: massages, swimming, and the sun.
Runeshaper 14 days ago
Natalie Schafer reads like she was a wonderful person (-:
justjeff 14 days ago
There's just one thing that money can't buy................Poverty!
Coldnorth justjeff 10 days ago
Lots of people can’t get jobs cuz they can’t pass drug screening. That’s the big problem where I live. Jeff, I got a call from dr. Another round of antibiotics, still having problems with concussion. I can’t win. Just thought I would let you know
justjeff Coldnorth 10 days ago
Keep the faith and listen to your doctor and you should come out of this OK... Wishing you the best...
justjeff Coldnorth 9 days ago
😁😁😁
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