Russell Johnson obit

Russell Johnson, Professor On 'Gilligan’s Island,' Dead At 89

He was not on the list.

Russell Johnson was the last surviving male cast member on "Gilligan's Island."

Russell Johnson, who played the professor on “Gilligan’s Island,” died Thursday morning, his agent told TheWrap . He was 89.

Johnson, the last surviving male castmember of the CBS sitcom, died at his home in Washington state of natural causes, his agent confirmed. He was also known for Marshal Gib Scott in Black Saddle.

Johnson earned a Purple Heart as an aviation cadet in the Air Force during World War II before rising to fame on "Gilligan's island," which ran from 1964 to 1967.

The actor went on to guest-star on a slew of TV shows, but his last on-screen credit was in 1997.

Johnson published his memoirs, "Here on Gilligan's Isle," which offers fans behind-the-scenes anecdotes and answers the oft-asked question: how was the professor able to build a nuclear reactor and a car but never a boat?

Dawn Wells and Tina Louise (Mary Ann and Ginger) are the last surviving "Gilligan's Island" castmembers.


“My 2 favorite people are now gone. The Professor past away this morning. My heart is broken,” Wells wrote on Facebook, referring to Johnson and star Bob Denver, who died in 2005.


She added, “Russell was a true gentleman, a good father, a great friend, and ‘the rest.’ I love him and shall miss him. My heart goes out to [his wife] Connie and his daughter Kim. I love you.

Filmography

Film

Year       Title       Role       Notes

1952      For Men Only     Ky Walker           

1952      Rancho Notorious            Chuck-a-Luck Wheel Spinner       Uncredited

1952      Loan Shark          Charlie Thompson           

1952      Back at the Front              Johnny Redondo - Smuggler       

1952      The Turning Point             Herman                Uncredited

1953      Seminole             Lt. Hamilton      

1953      Law and Order   Jimmy Johnson

1953      Column South    Cpl. Biddle          

1953      It Came from Outer Space            George

1953      The Stand at Apache River            Greiner                

1953      Tumbleweed     Lam Blanden     

1954      Ride Clear of Diablo         Jed Ringer          

1954      Taza, Son of Cochise        Narrator               Voice, Uncredited

1954      Demetrius and the Gladiators     Gladiator             Uncredited

1954      Johnny Dark       Emory  

1954      Rogue Cop          Patrolman Carland           Uncredited

1954      Black Tuesday    Howard Sloane

1955      Many Rivers to Cross      Banks Cherne    

1955      Strange Lady in Town     Shadduck            

1955      Ma and Pa Kettle at Waikiki         Eddie Nelson     

1955      This Island Earth               Dr. Steve Carlson             

1957      Attack of the Crab Monsters        Hank Chapman

1957      Rock All Night    Jigger   

1957      Courage of Black Beauty                Ben Farraday     

1958      The Space Children          Joe Gamble        

1958      Badman's Country           Sundance           

1958      The Saga of Hemp Brown              Hook    

1964      A Distant Trumpet           Capt. Brinker - Judge Advocate's office  

1964      Invitation to a Gunfighter             John Medford    Uncredited

1965      The Greatest Story Ever Told       Scribe   

1969      Cry for Poor Wally            Gaines

1974      The Man from Independence     Linaver

1975      Three Days of the Condor             Intelligence Officer at Briefing    Uncredited

1977      Hitch Hike to Hell             Captain J.W. Shaw          

1977      MacArthur          Admiral King      

1980      The Great Skycopter Rescue        Professor Benson            

1982      Kill Squad                             Voice, Uncredited

1983      Off the Wall        Mr. Whitby        

1984      Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind           Lord Yupa            ('Warriors of the Wind' dub), English version, Voice, Uncredited

1986      Dôwa meita senshi Windaria       Alan       1987, English version, Voice, Uncredited

1988      Blue Movies       Mr. Martin