It's always tough to say goodbye to a good friend, but after an amazing actor like Alan Hale Jr. passes away, the loss becomes greater, simply because he felt like a friend to so many viewers across the world. While Hale enjoyed an illustrious career in entertainment, many know him best as the Skipper (or Jonas Grumby), in the hit series, Gilligan's Island.

While the Skipper could be prone to a short temper when it came to Gilligan's antics, Bob Denver and Alan Hale Jr. were nothing but the best of friends during their time together on the series, and even kept in touch after the original Gilligan's Island went off the air.

In an interview with the Asbury Park Press after Hale's death, Denver spoke about his dear friend and reminisced about the good times the two shared. Denver said of Hale, "He was so much fun." In addition to keeping their friendship alive, Denver and Hale were also committed to celebrating the influence of the series that made both of them famous. Denver said, "We used to do two or three P.A.s (public appearances) a year. He'd bring the Skipper's hat and put it on. He loved the Skipper."

Denver also revealed that the Skipper and Hale shared more than just a face. Hale actually shared many of the Skipper's more positive traits. Denver stated, "In many ways, he was the Skipper. He was always laughing, always having a good time."

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Gilligan's IslandBob Denver

Bob Denver on learning to accept the resilience of ''Gilligan's Island''

Even at the time of the interview in 1994, Denver was still being pressed with questions from interviewers about a potential Gilligan's Island revival. However, after the death of so many key cast members like Hale, Jim Backus, and Natalie Schafer, Denver said that he simply didn't think it would be possible.

He commented, "It just wouldn't be Gilligan's Island."

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