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Russell Johnson
Actor

Russell Johnson

10 Nov 1924Born
16 Jan 2014Died
89Age at death
122Credits

Biography

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Russell David Johnson (November 10, 1924 – January 16, 2014) was an American actor, best known for his role as Professor Roy Hinkley in Gilligan's Island. Military career

After graduating from high school, Johnson enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces as an aviation cadet. On completing his training, he was commissioned a second lieutenant.

Read the full biography

He flew 44 combat missions in the Pacific Theater during World War II as a bombardier in B-25 twin-engined medium bombers.

On March 4, 1945, while flying as a navigator in a B-25 with the 100th Bombardment Squadron, 42nd Bombardment Group, 13th Air Force, his B-25 and two others were shot down during a low-level bombing and strafing run against Japanese military targets in the Philippine Islands. The B-25s encountered heavy anti-aircraft fire, and all three had to ditch in the sea off Zamboanga. Johnson broke both ankles in the landing, and his bomber's co-pilot was killed. Johnson received a Purple Heart for his injuries. He was also awarded the Air Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three campaign stars, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one campaign star, and the World War II Victory Medal.

After Japan's surrender, Johnson was honorably discharged as a first lieutenant on November 22, 1945. He joined the United States Air Force Reserve and used the G.I. Bill to pay for his acting studies at the Actors' Lab in Hollywood. While there, he met actress Kay Cousins (1923–1980), whom he married in 1949.

His early roles were primarily in Westerns such as Rancho Notorious (1952, starring Marlene Dietrich), Seminole (1953), Law and Order (1953, opposite Ronald Reagan), and Badman's Country (1958), and science fiction films such as It Came from Outer Space (1953), This Island Earth (1955), Attack of the Crab Monsters (1956), and The Space Children (1958). He also appeared in a Ma and Pa Kettle vehicle, Ma and Pa Kettle at Waikiki (1955), as well as in Roger Corman's rock-'n'-roll crime drama Rock All Night (1957). In 1955, he had a role in Many Rivers to Cross along with Alan Hale Jr., later as the Skipper from Gilligan's Island.

"The Professor" on Gilligan's Island

Johnson was best known for playing Professor Roy Hinkley (usually called the "Professor"), the very knowledgeable polymath who could build all sorts of inventions out of the most rudimentary materials available on the island. As Johnson himself pointed out, though, he could not fix the hole in the boat. In the first episode of the show, the radio announcer describes the Professor as a research scientist and well-known scoutmaster. Gilligan's Island aired from 1964-67, but has been shown in reruns continuously ever since. CLR

Known for

Filmography

The 80 most recent of 122 credits.

  1. TBAStevie and ZoyaSeries: Narrator
  2. 1996E! True Hollywood StorySeries (1 episode)
  3. 1996Mystery Science Theater 3000: The MovieFilm: Steve Carlson (archive footage)
  4. 1988MonstersSeries: Jeffrey (1 episode)
  5. 1988RoseanneSeries (1 episode)
  6. 1988Blue MoviesFilm: Mr. Martin
  7. 1986ALFSeries: Roy Hinkley (1 episode)
  8. 1985MacGyverSeries: Oslow (1 episode)
  9. 1983Off the WallFilm: Mr. Whitby
  10. 1983Buffalo BillSeries: Dr. Murphy (1 episode)
  11. 1982NewhartSeries (1 episode)
  12. 1982Gilligan's PlanetSeries: Roy "The Professor" Hinkley (voice) (13 episodes)
  13. 1982FameSeries (1 episode)
  14. 1981The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's IslandFilm: Professor
  15. 1981DynastySeries (3 episodes)
  16. 1980The Great Skycopter RescueFilm: Professor Benson
  17. 1980Bosom BuddiesSeries (1 episode)
  18. 1980Beyond WestworldSeries: Patrick (2 episodes)
  19. 1979Knots LandingSeries: Tim Murphy (1 episode)
  20. 1979The Castaways on Gilligan's IslandFilm: Professor
  21. 1978Rescue from Gilligan's IslandFilm: Professor Roy Hinkley, Jr.
  22. 1978The BastardSeries: Col. James Barrett (1 episode)
  23. 1978Police Story: No Margin for ErrorFilm: Captain
  24. 1978The Ghost of Flight 401Film: Loft
  25. 1977Lou GrantSeries (1 episode)
  26. 1977MacArthurFilm: Admiral King
  27. 1977Nowhere to HideFilm: Charles Montague
  28. 1977Code RSeries: Ike (1 episode)
  29. 1977Hitch Hike to HellFilm: Captain J.W. Shaw
  30. 1976Rich Man, Poor Man - Book IISeries: Detective (2 episodes)
  31. 1976Collision Course: Truman vs. MacArthurFilm: Gen. George Stratemeyer
  32. 1975Wonder WomanSeries: Colonel (1 episode)
  33. 1975Three Days of the CondorFilm: Intelligence Officer at Briefing (uncredited)
  34. 1975You Lie So Deep, My LoveFilm: The Foreman
  35. 1975Adventures of the QueenFilm: Forbes
  36. 1975The JeffersonsSeries (2 episodes)
  37. 1974Aloha Means GoodbyeFilm: Dr. Frank Franklin
  38. 1974The New Adventures of GilliganSeries: Professor Roy Hinkley (voice) (32 episodes)
  39. 1974The Man from IndependenceFilm: Linaver
  40. 1973Beg, Borrow...or StealFilm: Alex Langley
  41. 1973Police StorySeries (1 episode)
  42. 1973HawkinsSeries: District Attorney (1 episode)
  43. 1973The Horror at 37,000 FeetFilm: Jim Hawley
  44. 1972ABC Afterschool SpecialSeries: Mr. Calder (1 episode)
  45. 1971McMillan & WifeSeries: Carl Jensen (1 episode)
  46. 1971Owen Marshall: Counselor at LawSeries: Asst D.A. Grant, Asst. D.A. Grant, Brenton Grant, Asst. D.A. Brenton Grant, Prosecutor, DA Grant (23 episodes)
  47. 1971CannonSeries (2 episodes)
  48. 1971VanishedSeries: Clyde Morehouse (2 episodes)
  49. 1970The Movie MurdererFilm: Cliff Thomas
  50. 1969Cry for Poor WallyFilm
  51. 1967MannixSeries (1 episode)
  52. 1967IronsideSeries: Martin Lucas (1 episode)
  53. 1967The InvadersSeries: James Bernard (1 episode)
  54. 1966Felony SquadSeries: Tye Laughlin (1 episode)
  55. 1966That GirlSeries (2 episodes)
  56. 1965The F.B.I.Series: Phillip Graham, Jim Kellogg, Dr. McGregor (1 episode)
  57. 1965The Greatest Story Ever ToldFilm: Scribe
  58. 1964Gilligan's IslandSeries: Professor (98 episodes)
  59. 1964A Distant TrumpetFilm: Captain Brinker
  60. 1963The Great AdventureSeries: Narrator (voice) (1 episode)
  61. 1963Temple HoustonSeries (1 episode)
  62. 1963The Greatest Show on EarthSeries: Dr. Arnold Andrews (1 episode)
  63. 1963The Outer LimitsSeries: Major Benedict (1 episode)
  64. 1963The DakotasSeries (1 episode)
  65. 1962General Electric TrueSeries (1 episode)
  66. 1961Ben CaseySeries (1 episode)
  67. 1961RipcordSeries (1 episode)
  68. 1960Route 66Series: Bob Keel (1 episode)
  69. 1960ThrillerSeries: Adam Talmadge (1 episode)
  70. 1959The DetectivesSeries: Lee (1 episode)
  71. 1959Hawaiian EyeSeries (1 episode)
  72. 1959Adventures in ParadiseSeries: Bowman (1 episode)
  73. 1959The Twilight ZoneSeries: Prof. Manion, Pete Corrigan (1 episode)
  74. 1959The DuPont Show with June AllysonSeries: Hugh, Tom Richards (1 episode)
  75. 1959LaramieSeries: Bob Murkland (1 episode)
  76. 1959RiverboatSeries: Darius (1 episode)
  77. 1959The DeputySeries: Albee Beckett (1 episode)
  78. 1959Black SaddleSeries: Marshal Gib Scott (44 episodes)
  79. 1959RawhideSeries: Burt Harvey (1 episode)
  80. 195877 Sunset StripSeries (1 episode)

Biography and credits from TMDB. This website uses TMDB and the TMDB APIs but is not endorsed, certified, or otherwise approved by TMDB.