Alan Hale Jr., `Gilligan' Skipper, Dies

LOS ANGELES - Actor Alan Hale Jr., who appeared in 65 films but was best known for playing the jovial skipper who led a zany band of castaways on television's ``Gilligan's Island,'' died of cancer yesterday.

He died at St. Vincent's Hospital. He had been hospitalized about a month, after being diagnosed with the disease a year ago.

The family said Hale was 68, but reference books list his age as 71.

Bob Denver, who played Gilligan on the series, said Hale reveled in his worldwide fame as ``the Skipper'' and never tired of playing the role in public.

``He enjoyed every single minute of it,'' said Denver, who made personal appearances with Hale as recently as six months ago. ``He wore his skipper's hat all the time.''

A native of Los Angeles, Hale appeared in 65 movies, but became a fixture on afternoon television thanks to the widely successful syndication of ``Gilligan's Island.'' The show ran in prime time from 1964 to 1967 before going into syndication.

Hale is survived by his wife of 25 years, Naomi; their four children; and his sister, Karen Hale Wookey.