Natalie Schafer
Known for Acting · 74 credits
- Born
- 1900-11-05
- Died
- 1991-04-10
- Place of birth
- Red Bank, New Jersey, USA
Biography
Natalie Schafer (November 5, 1900 – April 10, 1991) was an American actress, best known today for her role as Lovey Howell on the sitcom Gilligan's Island (1964–1967).
Schafer began her career as an actress on Broadway before moving to Los Angeles in 1941 to work in films. She appeared on Broadway in 17 plays between 1927 and 1959, often playing supporting roles. Most of those appearances were in short-run plays, with the exceptions of Lady in the Dark (1941–42), The Doughgirls (1942–44), and Romanoff and Juliet (1957–58). She was seen in a revival of Six Characters in Search of an Author, directed by Sir Tyrone Guthrie (1955–56). She also appeared in stock and regional productions, including the off-Broadway production The Killing of Sister George with Claire Trevor in the title role. She also guest-starred in TV productions beginning in the 1950s, such as an episode (“The Shy Ballerina”) of Sherlock Holmes, and in "The Charm School" episode of I Love Lucy, both in 1954.
Schafer performed in many films, usually portraying sophisticates. On TV, her roles included "Lovey Howell" on Gilligan's Island from 1964–67. She reprised her role in three made-for-television spin-off films after the show ended: Rescue from Gilligan's Island (1978), The Castaways on Gilligan's Island (1979), and The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island (1981). She also voiced Lovey Howell on the animated spinoffs, The New Adventures of Gilligan from 1974–77 and Gilligan's Planet from 1982–83.
In 1969, Schafer appeared in The Survivors—a high-profile prime time soap opera aired by the ABC television network. Despite the presence of movie stars like Lana Turner, Kevin McCarthy and George Hamilton, the show was a ratings failure and lasted only one season. For the 1971–1972 television season, Schafer joined the cast of the CBS daytime serial, Search for Tomorrow, portraying Helen Collins, mother of Wade and Clay Collins. Immediately following that role, she played Augusta Roulland on another daytime soap, Love of Life. Her final performance was in the 1990 made-for-television horror film I'm Dangerous Tonight.
She guest-starred as well on many other television series, including Goodyear Playhouse/Philco Playhouse ("The Sisters", with Grace Kelly, 1951), I Love Lucy (1954), Producers' Showcase ("The Petrified Forest", 1955), Guestward, Ho! (1960), The Beverly Hillbillies (1964), Mayberry RFD (1970), Mannix (1972), The Brady Bunch (1974), Phyllis (1976), Three's Company (1978), and The Love Boat (1979).
Known For
TV Shows (35)
The Mike Douglas Show
1961
as Self
Mannix
1967
as Bunny Mason
The Love Boat
1977
as Mrs. Hartnett
Climax!
1954
as Lucrece Durhurst
The Philco Television Playhouse
1948
The Beverly Hillbillies
1962
as Madame Renee
Simon & Simon
1981
I Love Lucy
1951
as Phoebe Emerson
Trapper John, M.D.
1979
Route 66
1960
Three's Company
1977
77 Sunset Strip
1958
as Ellie Fraser
Thriller
1960
as Beatrice Graves
Vega$
1978
as Charlotte Hunt
Matt Houston
1982
The Ford Television Theatre
1952
as Beatrice Trent
CHiPs
1977
Gilligan's Island
1964
as Eunice "Lovey" Wentworth Howell
The Brady Bunch
1969
Crazy like a Fox
1984
as Leonna Felspar
McMillan & Wife
1971
as Mrs. Roberts
Mayberry R.F.D.
1968
as Cornelia Willoughby
Kraft Television Theatre
1947
Lux Video Theatre
1950
as Blanche / Gertrude Medford / Julie
Mr. & Mrs. North
1952
ABC Stage 67
1966
as Mrs. Otis
Flying High
1978
Letter to Loretta
1953
as Mary / Mrs. Hayes
Topper
1953
as Mrs. Vance
Here's Boomer
1981
Sherlock Holmes
1954
Guestward, Ho!
1960
The New Adventures of Gilligan
1974
as Eunice Wentworth 'Lovey' Howell (voice)
Gilligan's Planet
1982
as Eunice "Lovey" Wentworth Howell (voice)
The Unknown Story
2022
as Self - archive footage
Movies (39)
40 Carats
1973
as Mrs. Adams
The Day of the Locust
1975
as Audrey Jennings
Secret Beyond the Door
1947
as Edith Potter
Anastasia
1956
as Irina Lissemskaia / Nini
Wonder Man
1945
as Mrs. Hume
The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island
1981
as Lovey Wentworth Howell
Reunion in France
1942
as Frau Amy Schroeder (uncredited)
Caught
1949
as Dorothy Dale
Dishonored Lady
1947
as Ethel Royce
Forever, Darling
1956
as Millie Opdyke
Casanova's Big Night
1954
as Signora Foressi
Payment on Demand
1951
as Mrs. Edna Blanton
Rescue from Gilligan's Island
1978
as Lovey Wentworth Howell
Repeat Performance
1947
as Eloise Shaw
I'm Dangerous Tonight
1990
as Grandmother
The Snake Pit
1948
as Mrs. Stuart
Callaway Went Thataway
1951
as Martha Lorrison
Susan Slade
1961
as Marian Corbett
Female on the Beach
1955
as Queenie Sorenson
The Law and the Lady
1951
as Pamela Pemberson
The Other Love
1947
as Dora Shelton
The Castaways on Gilligan's Island
1979
as Lovey Howell
The Time of Your Life
1948
as Society Lady
The Body Disappears
1941
as Mrs. Lunceford
Back Street
1961
as Mrs. Evans
Beverly Hills Brats
1989
as Lillian
Keep Your Powder Dry
1945
as Harriet Corwin
Molly and Me
1945
as Kitty Goode-Burroughs
The Girl Next Door
1953
as Evelyn the maid
Marriage Is a Private Affair
1944
as Irene Selworth
The Petrified Forest
1955
as Mrs. Chisholm
Bernardine
1957
as Madge Beaumont
Just Across the Street
1952
as Gertrude Medford
Take Care of My Little Girl
1951
as Mother Cookie Clark
Oh, Men! Oh, Women!
1957
as Mrs. Day
The Canterville Ghost
1966
as Mrs. Otis
Masquerade in Mexico
1945
as Irene Denny
If You Knew Elizabeth
1957
as Geneva
The Poor Fish
1930
as Daisy
About Natalie Schafer
Natalie Schafer (November 5, 1900 – April 10, 1991) was an American actress, best known today for her role as Lovey Howell on the sitcom Gilligan's Island (1964–1967). Schafer began her career as an actress on Broadway before moving to Los Angeles in 1941 to work in films. She appeared on Broadway in 17 plays between 1927 and 1959, often playing supporting roles. Most of those appearances were in short-run plays, with the exceptions of Lady in the Dark (1941–42), The Doughgirls (1942–44), and Romanoff and Juliet (1957–58). She was seen in a re… With 74 credits spanning from 1930 to 2022, Natalie Schafer has appeared in 39 films and 35 TV shows.
Fans searching for Natalie Schafer movies, Natalie Schafer filmography, or the latest projects starring Natalie Schafer can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Natalie Schafer Movies
- 40 Carats (1973) — as Mrs. Adams
- The Day of the Locust (1975) — as Audrey Jennings
- Secret Beyond the Door (1947) — as Edith Potter
- Anastasia (1956) — as Irina Lissemskaia / Nini
- Wonder Man (1945) — as Mrs. Hume
Where to Watch Natalie Schafer Films
Most Natalie Schafer movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Natalie Schafer, check our movies catalogue and browse page.