Bob Denver Spent Last Two Decades of Life Caring for Autistic Son: Most Beloved Classic TV Star?

by SodaHead Slideshows Posted 2012/11/16 17:24:50

Related Topics: Bob Denver, Gilligan's Island, Dreama Denver

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Bob Denver

Bob Denver's widow has revealed that the "Gilligan's Island" star made caring for his autistic son a priority.

Bob Denver

Bob Denver's widow has revealed that the "Gilligan's Island" star made caring for his autistic son a priority.
Bea Arthur

Among her decades of credits, Bea starred in not one, but three, iconic sitcoms: "All in the Family," "Maude" and "The Golden Girls."
Henry Winkler

Winkler's character "The Fonz" in "Happy Days" is arguably the most iconic TV character of all.
Bill Cosby

Bill Cosby is such a well-loved icon that a colorful sweater is known around the world now as a "Cosby sweater"!
Alan Alda

The finale of "M*A*S*H," which starred Alda as "Hawkeye," is still rated one of the most-watched episodes of television in history.
Lucille Ball

Ball's show "I Love Lucy" was the first sitcom to be filmed in front of a live studio audience and is still incredibly influential.
Phil Silvers

"The Phil Silvers Show" gave us one of TV's best-loved police characters: Sgt. Bilko.
Mary Tyler Moore

Mary Tyler Moore caught our eyes on "The Dick Van Dyke Show," but then really stole our hearts with "The Mary Tyler Moore Show."

Bob Denver Spent Last Two Decades of Life Caring for Autistic Son: Most Beloved Classic TV Star?

4,682 votes
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Lightning Report View Results and Demographics + View Demographics

	Bob Denver
	Bea Arthur
	Henry Winkler
	Bill Cosby
	Alan Alda
	Lucille Ball
	Phil Silvers
	Mary Tyler Moore

Loading Demographics... Click an icon to see demographic results Display unknown and private
	Bob Denver	1,386 votes	30%
	Bea Arthur	126 votes	3%
	Henry Winkler	297 votes	6%
	Bill Cosby	552 votes	12%
	Alan Alda	232 votes	5%
	Lucille Ball	1,649 votes	35%
	Phil Silvers	89 votes	2%
	Mary Tyler Moore	351 votes	7%

He was beloved by millions for his role as Gilligan on “Gilligan’s Island,” but Bob Denver’s widow Dreama Denver has revealed a more serious side to the TV comedy icon. Speaking to FOX411’s Pop Tarts and in her upcoming memoir “Gilligan’s Dreams: The Other Side of the Island,” she reveals that Bob spent the last two decades of his life caring for his heavily autistic son, Colin.

“He was very under the radar and never put himself out there that much,” she explains. “I wanted the fans to know who he really was, because he was a special, special man, especially when dealing with our son Colin, who has severe autism.” She continues by saying that “he set aside the last 21 years of his life to be with me and take care of our son, who had to have full-time care, [because he] didn’t want me to do it alone. That speaks to the type of human being he was.”

Bob and Dreama started the Denver Foundation together, which offers help to families who have children with special needs.

Check out our gallery and decide: Who do you think is the most beloved classic TV star?

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