'Gilligan’s Island' Actor Bob Denver Devoted The Last Two Decades Of His Life To His Son With Autism: "He Was Extremely Intelligent"

Bob Denver was a great actor who was well-known for playing the goofy character Gilligan on the 1960s TV show Gilligan’s Island. This amazing role made him an iconic figure to numerous generations of TV viewers.

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RIP, Bob Denver from Gilligan's Island

The Gilligan’s Island star died at the age of 70 as a result of complications from treatment he was receiving for throat cancer.

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Bob passed away at Wake Forest University Baptist Hospital in North Carolina. He was survived by his wife, Dreama, and children Patrick, Megan, Emily, and Colin.

Bob Denver spent 21 years, taking care of his son

Bob Denver’s spouse, Dreama revealed a more serious side of the much-loved comedy star. He was a doting father, who spent a lot of time with his children.

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Speaking to FOX411’s Pop Tarts column, the widow said Bob dedicated the last 21 years of his life to take care of his son who is autistic. She said:

I thought it was important to tell people 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… He was highly intelligent, and I think that is the most surprising thing about him. He was extremely intelligent, and that didn’t always come across in the characters that he played.

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In her memoir, Gilligan’s Dreams: The Other Side of the Island, Dreama wrote that she and Bob established The Denver Foundation to support others with special needs.

Bob Denver was married four times, first three marriages were short-term but the fourth one lasted for 25 years, till his last days. He had his son, Patrick, and two daughters - Megan and Emily from his previous marriages. His son, Colin with fourth wife, Dreama was born in 1984 with severe autism and a seizure disorder.

His wife added:

He was very under the radar, and never put himself out there that much. He put the characters out there but not himself. 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.

This is an amazing example of a dad who would do anything for his kid no matter what. Bob Denver spent more than two decades of his life taking care of his son.

A parent's love is the best medicine. Do you agree? Share your thoughts in comments.