Russell Johnson dead at 89

[Wolferz]

Russell Johnson who played The Professor on Gilligan's Island passed away at his home in Washington State. Johnson was a WWII veteran who was shot down in the Philipine islands

.http://t.entertainment.msn.com/russell-johnson-the-professor-on-gilligans-island-dead-at-89-1?toc=tv

RIP Professor.

[TorpX]

R.I.P.

I watched that show a lot when I was a kid. Never knew he was a WWII combat veteran.

I didn't know Bob Denver was dead, either. :huh:

[vienna]

Sad to hear...

I last saw him in a sort of "behind the scenes" program aboth "Gilligan's Island". It was called "Surviving Gilligan's Island" and starred Johnson, Bob Denver (Gilligan) and Dawn Wells (Mary Anne). In addition to their telling about the show's history, there were re-enactments by acotr playing the original cast members. (Tina Louise refused to participate. She has long ago made it clear she hated the show and has little love for the other cast members. She blames the show for the "decline" of her career, no her lack of talent and diva attitude.) The program is available on DVD and it is fun to hear them tell about how they were picked and all the politics involved with the show and the network. If you get the chance, it is worth the viewing...

I did get the chance to meet Alan Hale sometime before his death. He owned a restaurant in Los Angeles, "Alan Hale's Lobster Barrel". One night I was walking by the place and there was Alan outside the door. I almost never approach celebrities I see, but I couldn'd pass up the chance to say hello and shake his hand. He was very nice and we chatted for a few minutes. I asked if he kept in touch with any of his former fellow castaways and he said he spoke with them often. He was very complimentary of his co-stars...

Now that the 'Professor' has gone, I guess there is no one to make radios out of coconuts. He was among those actors whose careers were hampered by typecasting but I never heard of him complaining or badmouthing others or his situation. He was a class person. I was also unaware of Russell Johnson's service in WW2. It is sad also to see another of the "Greatest Genearation" pass...

RIP, sir. Thank you for the laughs and memories and thank you for your service...


<O>

[fireftr18]

See you on the other side Professor. :salute:

[Sailor Steve]

I just watched an old Twilight Zone episode with him in it. It's always surprising to look over a list of an actor's credits and see how many guest spots they did and how many regular roles as well. He was a busy man and a talented actor.

[Jimbuna]

RIP Sir

I think I read somewhere he was the last of the male castaways.

[HW3]

I think I read somewhere he was the last of the male castaways.

Yes, only Ginger and Mary Ann are left.

R.I.P. sir, thank you for your service.

[nikimcbee]

Yes, only Ginger and Mary Ann are left.

R.I.P. sir, thank you for your service.

Johnson was the last surviving male castaway from the TV series that ran from 1964 to 1967. Bob Denver (Gilligan) died in 2005; Alan Hale (the Skipper) died in 1990; and Jim Backus (Mr. Howell (http://www.bing.com/search?q=thurston%20howell%2C%20iii&filters=ufn%3a"thurston howell, iii"+sid%3a"111232e5-b7ed-6241-ef40-9d53fd784392"&FORM=MSNMEP)) died in 1989. Natalie Schafer (Mrs. Howell (http://www.bing.com/search?q=eunice%20lovey%20wentworth%20howell&filters=ufn%3a"eunice lovey wentworth howell"+sid%3a"3ee26733-ca34-1e49-b845-b0827eea6885"&FORM=MSNMEP)) died in 1991; Dawn Wells and Tina Louise (Mary Ann (http://www.bing.com/search?q=mary%20ann%20summers&filters=ufn%3a"mary ann summers"+sid%3a"8cebb95f-d658-4a59-1086-cf56331a30bd"&FORM=MSNMEP) and Ginger) are the last surviving castmembers.

:-? I forgot that Bob Denver had passed away.

[mako88sb]

Yes, only Ginger and Mary Ann are left.

R.I.P. sir, thank you for your service.

Dawn Wells was on the Chopped Celebrity Holiday Bash that aired Dec 1/13. I can't remember the last time I watched a Gilligan's Island episode so I didn't recognize her name. However, it didn't take long for her personality to jog some brain cells and I must say, she's one classy lady.

Sorry to hear about Russell Johnson. Wow. 44 missions during WW2 including one were their B-25 was shot down in the Philippines. Some great quotes by him over at IMDB:

"Old actors never die, they don't even fade away. They're always available."

"It used to make me upset to be typecast that way. But as the years have gone on, I have given in. I am the Professor, and that's the way it is. The show has brought a lot of joy to people, and that's not a bad legacy" -- Russell Johnson, referring to his role on Gilligan's Island (1964).

"Gunsmoke (1955), Wagon Train (1957), The Dakotas (1963)-- you name a western, I did it. I was always the bad guy in westerns. I played more bad guys than you can shake a stick at until I played the Professor. Then I couldn't get a job being a bad guy."

RIP sir:salute: