Skipper's Ring, The - On the sitcom GILLIGAN'S ISLAND/CBS/1964-67 Alan Hale, who played Skipper Jonas Grumby of the S.S. Minnow, faithfully wore an emerald and diamond Pinky ring during each episode. The ring originally belonged to his father, veteran film actor Alan Hale, Sr. His son wore the ring to honor his father's memory. TRIVIA NOTE: Alan Hale, Jr. died of cancer of the thymus on January 2, 1990. His body was cremated and his ashes were given to the Neptune Society to scatter at sea. See also "The Skipper's Hat"