The son of a patent medicine manufacturer, American actor Alan Hale chose a theatrical career at a time when, according to his son Alan Hale Jr., boarding houses would post signs reading "No Dogs or Actors Allowed." Undaunted, Hale spent several years on stage after graduating from Philadelphia University, entering films as a slapstick comedian for Philly's Lubin Co. in 1911. Bolstering his acting income with odd jobs as a newspaperman and itinerant inventor (at one point he considered becoming an osteopath!), Hale finally enjoyed a measure of security as a much-in-demand character actor in the 1920s, usually as hard-hearted villains. One of his more benign roles was as Little John in Douglas Fairbanks' Robin Hood (1922), a role he would repeat opposite Errol Flynn in 1938 and John Derek in 1950. Talkies made Hale more popular than ever, especially in his many roles as Irishmen, blusterers and "best pals" for Warner Bros. Throughout his career, Hale never lost his love for inventing things, and reportedly patented or financed items as commonplace as auto brakes and as esoteric as greaseless potato chips. Alan Hale contracted pneumonia and died while working on the Warner Bros. western Montana (1950), which starred Hale's perennial screen cohort Errol Flynn.
Alan Hale Jr.
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- Prolific character actor who appeared in more than 65 films and a variety of TV shows; best known for playing Skipper Jonas Grumby on the popular sitcom Gilligan's Island (1964-67), as well as three movie spin-offs and two Saturday-morning Gilligan cartoons.
- Served in the United States Coast Guard during World War II.
- Bore a strong resemblance to his father, who was also a character actor.
- Made his Broadway debut in 1931's Caught Wet.
- Was offered the role of the Skipper after Gilligan series producer Sherwood Schwartz spied him at a Hollywood restaurant. Schwartz had already auditioned several actors for the role but passed on all of them.
- Broke his wrist once on the set of Gilligan's Island; didn't tell anyone about it for a year because he didn't want to shut down production on the show.
- Embraced his popularity as the Skipper after Gilligan's cancellation, often making appearances in character, while most of the other cast members resented the typecasting that resulted from the series.
- Maintained a close off-screen friendship with Gilligan costar Bob Denver.
- Co-owned Alan Hale's Lobster Barrel, a restaurant that was opened in the mid-1970s.
- Owned and operated Alan Hale's Quality and Leisure Travel office.
- While receiving treatment for cancer, would often surprise young patients in the hospital by visiting them in character and wearing his Skipper hat.
- Died of cancer of the thymus; ashes were scattered at sea.