Dawn Wells, star of Gilligan's Island, has had surgery on her knee. She is pictured playing Mary Ann Summers in the hit show

Gilligan’s Island star Dawn Wells is ‘humbled and amazed’ after kind-hearted fans raised nearly $110,000 to help fund her hospital costs after breaking her knee in an accident.

As a result of strangers' generosity, the 79-year-old can now move into a retirement village in Los Angeles, California.

Her friend, hair stylist Dugg Kirkpatrick, started a GoFundMe fundraising page ten days ago after Wells' accident. He said she had ‘suffered through the banking crash [2008] and lost everything including her life savings’.

She played Mary Ann Summers in the hit CBS sitcom Gilligan's Island.

Kirkpatrick, who worked on Kiss the Girls and Torque, said that Wells needed money to help pay for costs in connection to her continued recovery from ‘life-threatening surgery which came close to killing her'.

‘Dawn was a victim of an unexpected accident that required hospitalization for two months and a very long time to rest and heal [and] needs $194,000 to alleviate penalties by the IRS which are compounded daily and to pay her hospital costs.’

Pictured in good health in 2017, actress Dawn Wells fell on hard times 'because of the banking crash'. Her friend, hair stylist Dugg Kirkpatrick, started a GoFundMe fundraising page ten days ago to cover her medical costs after the star broke her knee

Actress Dawn Wells has fallen on hard times and is seeking financial assistance from her fans, according to a GoFundMe fundraising page set up by a 'friend' of the star. Seen here in Gilligan's Island in 1965

He said that as a result of more than $107,000 now being raised via his page, ‘I have found an apartment for Dawn in a fab retirement village in Glendale Ca. Dawn is thrilled, humbled and flattered. Thank you thank thank you [sic] for this fresh start.’

Wells has thanked fans profusely for coming to her aid, posting on Facebook: ‘Wow! I am amazed at the kindness and affection I have received from the current outpouring in regards to the GoFundMe page that is grabbing so much attention and want to address it.

‘A dear dear friend of mine with a big heart was trying to help me with some common issues we all understand and some must face.

‘He created that page with the love and emotion like someone protecting their child.’

In regards to her dire financial situation, Wells said she still did not understand ‘how this happened. I thought I was taking all the proper steps to ensure my golden years.

‘Now here I am, no family, no husband, no kids and no money.

‘I’m grateful that God has given me so many friends and fans who care, or it would all be too… overwhelming… I am grateful to any of my fans who are willing to offer support.

‘However, please know that my outlook is positive and I look forward to seeing you all in my travels.’

The actress was briefly married to Larry Rosen, a talent agent, in 1962.

The couple had no children and were divorced in 1967.

Fans have flocked to show their sympathy and support of the star, with one saying on Kirkpatrick’s fundraising page: ‘Dawn I enjoyed watching you for years. I was enamored by your sweet character, Mary Anne. I wish you a long comfortable life. Thanks for all of the memories.’

Glory days: Dawn is set to appear in two TV shows in 2018: See Ya and Kaplan's Korner, according to IMDb. Seen here in 1967

There were also slightly cheekier posts on her Facebook page, including from one man saying: ‘I love you. Let’s get married. We are both still good looking. It will be fun. I promise.’ Another stated: ‘My first great crush. Thank you for all of the memorable, wholesome humor’.

But some have voiced their opposition to Kirkpatrick's plea for donations – with one woman posting: ‘So sorry this is happening to you, but we all have this issue and we weren’t on TV. It’s just part of life… some of us are poor and have one income, sorry I can’t donate.’

Tough times: According to the page, the comedienne needs $194,000 to help with her 'hospital costs' after 'breaking her knee which required hospitalization for two months'. Seen here in September 2016

And a fellow naysayer said: ‘Sorry no sympathy here. I’m sick of the well to do collecting funds because they are going through difficult times.

‘All of us go through hard times, we deal with it. My friend set up a GoFundMe account to purchase a handicap van to enable me to get my disabled son to his medical appointments, we received $700 [but] the cash pours in for people that need attorney fees, IRS payments, vacations. Outrageous!![sic]’

Dawn is set to appear in two TV shows in 2018: See Ya and Kaplan's Korner, according to IMDb.



