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Bob Denver felt ''trapped'' in his role as Maynard G. Krebs

By: Catchy Comedy Staff Posted: August 19, 2024, 2:50PM

Most people tuning in to The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis in the early 1960s fell in love with one of the coolest cats to ever exist on classic TV. Maynard G. Krebs was considered the hippest guy on TV—except by the actor who played him.

Bob Denver took on the role of the quintessential beatnik, a stereotype for the counterculture youth of the '60s. He was known for his scruffy appearance, unkempt hair, and, of course, the iconic goatee. Moms hated him, but teens idolized him.

His character added a lot of humor to the series with his quirky mannerisms, love for jazz, and catchphrases like "Daddy-O." He was the guy everyone wanted to be, especially teenagers who flocked to his character.

"I've got the most expensive beard in show business," Denver said. "You've heard of actors being typecast? You're now looking at the typecasting champ! In over three years of playing Maynard on Dobie Gillis, I haven't even been asked to play an outside role in another series or movie. All because of this scraggly little beard."

Not only did Denver dislike his scraggly beard, but it also had a major impact on his life. According to the interview, he couldn't go to the store or walk down the street without being recognized as Maynard. This made it difficult for him to escape into a normal life while away from work.

Many people associated him with the role, and everyone thought he was a beatnik in real life, too. Fans often requested that he speak the way Maynard did, and Denver didn't disappoint. However, he looked forward to the day it would all stop.

In reality, Denver was an articulate man who graduated from college with a degree in political science and taught history and mathematics for two years before becoming an actor. He was the opposite of Maynard in almost every way.

"I'm Maynard to everyone now, even my neighbors," Denver said. "On the film stage, everyone is called by their legal names between takes, but when they want me, it's 'We're ready for you, Maynard.' What is the real Bob Denver like? I've almost forgotten... I have to be Maynard to the teeth—or should I say beard? I grin, roll my eyes and fake beatnik talk. I'm still not an expert at beatnik talk, you know."

Although Denver said he owed much of his fame and success to the character, being Maynard all of the time was challenging. He eventually broke free from typecasting and, in 1964, went on to star in Gilligan's Island.

"Can you imagine anyone wanting to cast me as anything else if I play Maynard for seven years?" Denver asked. "By that time, I'll be afraid to shave off this beard because I'll be a stranger to my wife and children."

We were glad to see that the beard was gone by the time Gilligan's Island started in '64, as we're sure Denver was too.