Acting

Russell Johnson

147 titles51 movies · 96 series

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

Filmography

The Unknown Story

Series · 2022

Hollywood in the Atomic Age: Monsters! Martians! Mad Scientists!

Film · 2021

The Gilligan Manifesto

Film · 2018

Surviving Gilligan's Island: The Incredibly True Story of the Longest Three Hour Tour in History

Film · 2001

Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie

Film · 1996

E! True Hollywood Story

Series · 1996

Space Ghost Coast to Coast

Series · 1994

Blue Movies

Film · 1988

Roseanne

Series · 1988

Monsters

Series · 1988

ALF

Series · 1986

MacGyver

Series · 1985

Off the Wall

Film · 1983

Buffalo Bill

Series · 1983

Gilligan's Planet

Series · 1982

Fame

Series · 1982

Newhart

Series · 1982

Newhart

Series · 1982

The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island

Film · 1981

Dynasty

Series · 1981

The Great Skycopter Rescue

Film · 1980

Bosom Buddies

Series · 1980

Beyond Westworld

Series · 1980

The Castaways on Gilligan's Island

Film · 1979

Knots Landing

Series · 1979

Rescue from Gilligan's Island

Film · 1978

The Ghost of Flight 401

Film · 1978

Police Story: No Margin for Error

Film · 1978

The Bastard

Series · 1978

Hitch Hike to Hell

Film · 1977

MacArthur

Film · 1977

Nowhere to Hide

Film · 1977

Lou Grant

Series · 1977

Code R

Series · 1977

Collision Course: Truman vs. MacArthur

Film · 1976

Rich Man, Poor Man - Book II

Series · 1976

Adventures of the Queen

Film · 1975

You Lie So Deep, My Love

Film · 1975

Three Days of the Condor

Film · 1975

The Jeffersons

Series · 1975

Wonder Woman

Series · 1975

The Man from Independence

Film · 1974

Aloha Means Goodbye

Film · 1974

The New Adventures of Gilligan

Series · 1974

The Horror at 37,000 Feet

Film · 1973

Beg, Borrow...or Steal

Film · 1973

Hawkins

Series · 1973

Police Story

Series · 1973

ABC Afterschool Special

Series · 1972

Cannon

Series · 1971