Russell Johnson
Acting
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
Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie
as Steve Carlson (archive footage)
Age 71 (now 89)
Rescue from Gilligan's Island
as Professor Roy Hinkley, Jr.
Age 53 (now 89)
Hollywood in the Atomic Age: Monsters! Martians! Mad Scientists!
as Self (archive footage)
Age 96 (now 89)
Surviving Gilligan's Island: The Incredibly True Story of the Longest Three Hour Tour in History
as Himself
Age 76 (now 89) Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie
as Steve Carlson (archive footage)
Age 71 (now 89)
The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island
as Professor
Age 56 (now 89)
The Castaways on Gilligan's Island
as Professor
Age 54 (now 89) Rescue from Gilligan's Island
as Professor Roy Hinkley, Jr.
Age 53 (now 89)
Police Story: No Margin for Error
as Captain
Age 53 (now 89)
Collision Course: Truman vs. MacArthur
as Gen. George Stratemeyer
Age 51 (now 89)
Three Days of the Condor
as Intelligence Officer at Briefing (uncredited)
Age 50 (now 89)
Rancho Notorious
as Chuck-A-Luck Wheel Spinner (uncredited)
Age 27 (now 89)
Gilligan's Planet
as Roy "The Professor" Hinkley (voice)
Age 57 (now 89)
Rich Man, Poor Man - Book II
as Detective
Age 51 (now 89)
The New Adventures of Gilligan
as Professor Roy Hinkley (voice)
Age 49 (now 89)
Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law
as Asst. D.A. Brenton Grant
Age 46 (now 89) Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law
as Asst. D.A. Grant
Age 46 (now 89) Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law
as Asst D.A. Grant
Age 46 (now 89) Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law
as Brenton Grant
Age 46 (now 89) Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law
as Prosecutor
Age 46 (now 89) Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law
as DA Grant
Age 46 (now 89)
The Greatest Show on Earth
as Dr. Arnold Andrews
Age 38 (now 89)
The DuPont Show with June Allyson
as Hugh
Age 34 (now 89) The DuPont Show with June Allyson
as Tom Richards
Age 34 (now 89)
The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin
as Sgt. Stan Powers
Age 29 (now 89)
Adventures of Superman
as Man on Phone in Montage (archive footage)
Age 27 (now 89)
Gathering insights...
Also Known As
Russell D. Johnson, Russ Johnson, Russell David Johnson
IMDB
nm0426157