Dwayne Hickman remembering Bob Denver - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Smilings · 03-15-2013, 02:47 PM

This is from Dwayne Hickman's website.

Remembering Bob Denver

I want to share a few thoughts about my dear friend, Bob Denver, who passed away on Friday, September 2, 2005. Bob and I have been friends for over fifty years. We both attended Loyola University in Los Angeles. I knew him briefly from his work with the Del Rey Players, the college theatre group. In 1958 he came in to audition for the role of Maynard G. Krebs opposite my character, Dobie Gillis. I had already been cast and the producers asked me to test on film with all the actors they were interested in for the role of Maynard. I must have tested with twenty actors, some good, most not. It was the end of the day and as I was leaving the studio the producer called me back to test with one more actor. It was a favor to a secretary on the lot - it was her brother. When I returned to the set I was amazed to see that the secretary’s brother was Bob Denver. From the moment we began to read the lines all the other actors who had auditioned for the role just evaporated. Bob and I had a rhythm and timing that was instant and a new comedy duo was born.

For the next four seasons, I had the privilege to be Bob’s straight man. My favorite line? "Maynard, go home and feed your iguana." Maynard’s reply? "He don’t need me, Dobe, he can open the refrigerator door himself."

After Dobie Gillis ended its run, the next season Bob landed the title role of "Gilligan" and for the rest of his life, he and that character would become one.

Bob was a gentle comedian and wonderful with physical comedy. Everyone loved Maynard and Gilligan; they were both characters that you could identify with and root for.

We worked together on two Dobie Gillis reunion Movies of the Week in the 1970’s and 80’s and several years ago I joined him in the "Surviving Gilligan’s Island" movie. We had always hoped to work together again as Dobie and Maynard.

In fifty years we never had a harsh word. My wife Joan, son Albert, and I send our love and prayers to Bob's beautiful wife, Dreama and his wonderful children. I will always cherish my friendship with Bob and feel honored to have been his straight man..."Goodnight, Maynard - now go feed your iguana."

Teebs · 03-21-2013, 06:56 PM

Awwww! Good night, Maynard, now go feed your iguana.

Thanks for posting this. It's always lovely to hear quotes about how sweet and wonderful Bob Denver was. They don't make 'em like him any more!

Smilings · 03-21-2013, 09:31 PM

I did so because I'd just watched Surviving Gilligan's Island from 2001, where Dwayne ironically played a CBS exec who never got what Gilligan was all about.

Both Dwayne and Bob had the same rare quality of graciousness toward other actors.

I read Bob Denver's book and he talked about how his Dobie Gillis co-stars Warren Beatty and Tuesday Weld left the show. But he wasn't bitter. It was just the reality of show biz.

Indeed, Dwayne Hickman would also have the same kind but realistic attitude.

I think Dwayne is still around.

Shout says they may release Dobie Gillis on DVD this year. It's about time!

Teebs · 03-22-2013, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smilings

I did so because I'd just watched Surviving Gilligan's Island from 2001, where Dwayne ironically played a CBS exec who never got what Gilligan was all about.

Both Dwayne and Bob had the same rare quality of graciousness toward other actors.

I read Bob Denver's book and he talked about how his Dobie Gillis co-stars Warren Beatty and Tuesday Weld left the show. But he wasn't bitter. It was just the reality of show biz.

Indeed, Dwayne Hickman would also have the same kind but realistic attitude.

I think Dwayne is still around.

Shout says they may release Dobie Gillis on DVD this year. It's about time!

Dwayne is still around. His wife Joan pops up frequently on Dreama Denver's statuses on facebook. Dreama accepts friend requests, and is always thrilled to know that people have read her book, Gilligan's Dreams: The Other Side of the Island. She absolutely adored Bob and still does, and his legacy lives on in The Denver Foundation set up in W. Va to help disabled kids and their families, and she also runs an Honor Our Veterans Free Flight charity that takes war veterans to Washington.

She has said that Bob had a healthy ego at work, in that he knew how he wanted things done but at home he had no ego at all- he was just Bob. <3

Marvo301 · 03-22-2013, 01:52 PM

What a great tribute to 50+ years of friendship. I hope Shout!Factory includes some sort of Bob Denver tribute in DVD boxed set they will be releasing lateer this year of "Dobie Gillis".

Schmoopie · 03-24-2013, 04:04 AM

That is such a great tribute and now I want to find that Gilligan's Island movie to see Dwayne Hickman. That line about the Iguana is hilarious! I can just hear Maynard saying something like that!

Marvo301 · 03-24-2013, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

That is such a great tribute and now I want to find that Gilligan's Island movie to see Dwayne Hickman. That line about the Iguana is hilarious! I can just hear Maynard saying something like that!

I have this Gilligan movie on VHS. Do you have a VCR?

03-15-2013, 02:47 PM	#1
Smilings Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 09, 2012 Location: California Posts: 417	Dwayne Hickman remembering Bob Denver This is from Dwayne Hickman's website. Remembering Bob Denver I want to share a few thoughts about my dear friend, Bob Denver, who passed away on Friday, September 2, 2005. Bob and I have been friends for over fifty years. We both attended Loyola University in Los Angeles. I knew him briefly from his work with the Del Rey Players, the college theatre group. In 1958 he came in to audition for the role of Maynard G. Krebs opposite my character, Dobie Gillis. I had already been cast and the producers asked me to test on film with all the actors they were interested in for the role of Maynard. I must have tested with twenty actors, some good, most not. It was the end of the day and as I was leaving the studio the producer called me back to test with one more actor. It was a favor to a secretary on the lot - it was her brother. When I returned to the set I was amazed to see that the secretary’s brother was Bob Denver. From the moment we began to read the lines all the other actors who had auditioned for the role just evaporated. Bob and I had a rhythm and timing that was instant and a new comedy duo was born. For the next four seasons, I had the privilege to be Bob’s straight man. My favorite line? "Maynard, go home and feed your iguana." Maynard’s reply? "He don’t need me, Dobe, he can open the refrigerator door himself." After Dobie Gillis ended its run, the next season Bob landed the title role of "Gilligan" and for the rest of his life, he and that character would become one. Bob was a gentle comedian and wonderful with physical comedy. Everyone loved Maynard and Gilligan; they were both characters that you could identify with and root for. We worked together on two Dobie Gillis reunion Movies of the Week in the 1970’s and 80’s and several years ago I joined him in the "Surviving Gilligan’s Island" movie. We had always hoped to work together again as Dobie and Maynard. In fifty years we never had a harsh word. My wife Joan, son Albert, and I send our love and prayers to Bob's beautiful wife, Dreama and his wonderful children. I will always cherish my friendship with Bob and feel honored to have been his straight man..."Goodnight, Maynard - now go feed your iguana." Attached Images

03-21-2013, 06:56 PM	#2
Teebs Dusty nut Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 30, 2011 Location: Are we there yet? Posts: 454	Awwww! Good night, Maynard, now go feed your iguana. Thanks for posting this. It's always lovely to hear quotes about how sweet and wonderful Bob Denver was. They don't make 'em like him any more!
	__________________ "I always look positively starved. Even after I've eaten." Dusty (Dusty's Trail) "I'll squeeze the cider out of your Adam's apple!" - Moe, The Three Stooges

03-22-2013, 01:52 PM	#5
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	What a great tribute to 50+ years of friendship. I hope Shout!Factory includes some sort of Bob Denver tribute in DVD boxed set they will be releasing lateer this year of "Dobie Gillis".
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

03-24-2013, 04:04 AM	#6
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	That is such a great tribute and now I want to find that Gilligan's Island movie to see Dwayne Hickman. That line about the Iguana is hilarious! I can just hear Maynard saying something like that!
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

03-21-2013, 09:31 PM	#3
Smilings Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 09, 2012 Location: California Posts: 417	I did so because I'd just watched Surviving Gilligan's Island from 2001, where Dwayne ironically played a CBS exec who never got what Gilligan was all about. Both Dwayne and Bob had the same rare quality of graciousness toward other actors. I read Bob Denver's book and he talked about how his Dobie Gillis co-stars Warren Beatty and Tuesday Weld left the show. But he wasn't bitter. It was just the reality of show biz. Indeed, Dwayne Hickman would also have the same kind but realistic attitude. I think Dwayne is still around. Shout says they may release Dobie Gillis on DVD this year. It's about time!