TV Land mourns the loss of one of television's all-time favorites, Bob Denver. He will always be remembered as the loveable but barely competent first mate on Gilligan's Island, a character instantly recognizable to TV viewers around the globe.

Denver had the rare distinction of creating two of TV's funniest characters. Though his name and image will always be synonymous with Gilligan, he also made the world laugh as prime time's best known beatnik, Maynard G. Krebs, on The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis from 1959 -1963.

Although Gilligan's Island was not appreciated in its day by television critics and executives, it was a hit with viewers, especially younger ones. The show remained popular for its three seasons on CBS, but was ultimately cancelled due to network politics and scheduling conflicts. According to Denver's autobiography, "Gilligan, Maynard and Me," the plug was pulled by network head William Paley to make room for another season of Paley's personal favorite, Gunsmoke. Although it left prime time in 1967, Gilligan's Island went on to be one of the most seen shows in television history with reruns airing continuously since its debut in fall of 1964.

Denver went on to appear in two animated cartoon versions of Gilligan's Island and three reunion movies as well as on the sitcoms The Good Guys (1968-1970), Dusty's Trail (1973), and the Saturday morning series Far Out Space Nuts (1973). Additionally, he reprised the role of Gilligan in many TV shows over the years on everything from Alf to Baywatch.

Denver was known to embrace his signature role with great humor. He gladly greeted fans at hundreds of appearances over the years, almost always wearing his signature white sailor hat. Denver spent recent years in Princeton, West Virginia where he hosted an oldies radio program called "Little Buddy Radio" with his wife of 28 years, Dreama.

Denver died on Friday, September 2nd at age 70 from complications related to cancer treatment. He had also undergone a quadruple bypass earlier this year. His wife and his children Patrick, Megan, Emily and Colin were at his side when he passed away.