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  • BIRTH 10/11/1924
  • DEATH 16/01/2014
  • Country United States
  • SHOWS 14
  • MOVIES 17

Russell Johnson

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. 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

Russell Johnson

Shows (14)

ALF
ALF
Professor Roy Hinkley
The Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone
Prof. Manion
The Invaders
The Invaders
James Bernard
The Outer Limits
The Outer Limits
Major Benedict
Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman
Colonel
Space Ghost Coast to Coast
Space Ghost Coast to Coast
Self
The F.B.I.
The F.B.I.
Dr. McGregor / Jim Kellogg / Phillip Graham
The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin
The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin
Sgt. Stan Powers
Beyond Westworld
Beyond Westworld
Patrick
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Turk
Gunsmoke
Gunsmoke
Diggs / Harry Webb / Link Parrin / Stanger
Gilligan's Island
Gilligan's Island
Roy "The Professor" Hinkley
The ABC Afterschool Special
The ABC Afterschool Special
Mr. Calder
Hallmark Hall Of Fame
Hallmark Hall Of Fame
Lefty

Movies (17)

Attack of the Crab Monsters
Attack of the Crab Monsters
Hank Chapman
This Island Earth
This Island Earth
Steve Carlson
Rancho Notorious
Rancho Notorious
Chuck-A-Luck Wheel Spinner (uncredited)
Courage of Black Beauty
Courage of Black Beauty
Ben Farraday
The Turning Point
The Turning Point
Herman (uncredited)
Ride Clear of Diablo
Ride Clear of Diablo
Jed Ringer
Many Rivers to Cross
Many Rivers to Cross
Banks
The Horror at 37,000 Feet
The Horror at 37,000 Feet
Jim Hawley
The Ghost of Flight 401
The Ghost of Flight 401
Loft
Seminole
Seminole
Lt. Hamilton
It Came from Outer Space
It Came from Outer Space
George
Blue Movies
Blue Movies
Mr. Martin
A Distant Trumpet
A Distant Trumpet
Captain Brinker
The Space Children
The Space Children
Joe Gamble
The Movie Murderer
The Movie Murderer
Cliff Thomas
The Castaways on Gilligan's Island
The Castaways on Gilligan's Island
Professor