Russell Johnson
Russell Johnson (born November 10, 1924 in Ashley , Pennsylvania , † January 16, 2014 in Bainbridge Island , Washington ) was an American actor .
Life
After finishing school, he served as a pilot in the American Air Force from 1942 to 1945. In 1945 he survived the downing of his B-24 Liberator over the Philippines. For his military achievements during World War II, he received numerous awards, including a Purple Heart . After the end of the war, he decided to pursue an acting career and enrolled in an acting school under the GI Bill .
During the 1950s he appeared in various science fiction films ( Danger from Space , 1953; Metaluna IV Doesn't Answer , 1955; Attack of the Crab Monsters , 1957) and western productions. He also appeared in two episodes of Twilight Zone . In the episode Back There (# 49) he tried to avert the murder of Abraham Lincoln .
His most famous role was that of Professor Dr. Simply Roy Hinkley, The Professor named in the CBS - sitcom Gilligan's Island (1964-1967). He also played this role in various follow-up productions in the 1970s and 1980s; in the cartoon adaptations ( The New Adventures of Gilligan 1974-1977 and Gilligan's Planet , 1982-1983) he also spoke the professor. In 1993 he published the book Here on Gilligan's Isle , in which he reports about his time on the series.
In the 1970s and 1980s he was occasionally seen in supporting roles in various television films, soap operas and also in Hollywood films.
Johnson's son David was an AIDS activist in Los Angeles before succumbing to the disease in 1994. Russell Johnson has been a full-time fundraiser for AIDS relief since David was diagnosed. He lived on Bainbridge Island, Washington until his death.
Filmography (selection)
- 1952: Cruel Judges (For Men Only)
- 1953: Came from Outer Space (It Came from Outer Space)
- 1953: The Hand on the Colt (Law and Order)
- 1953: The Stand at Apache River
- 1953: Three were traitors (Tumbleweed)
- 1953: Column South
- 1953: Seminola
- 1954: Ride with the Devil (Ride Clear of Diablo)
- 1955: From the Life of a Doctor (Strange Lady in Town)
- 1955: A man loves dangerous (Many Rivers to Cross)
- 1955: Metaluna IV does not respond (This Island Earth)
- 1958: To the last cartridge (The Saga of Hep Brown)
- 1958: The Devil Will Take Them All (Badman's Country)
- 1964: The Blue Squadron (A Distant Trumpet)
- 1964–1967: Gilligan 's Island (TV series)
- 1977: The Trail of the Scorpion (Nowhere to hide)
- 1978: The Ghost of Flight 401 (The Ghost of Flight 401)
- 1988: Monsters 2 (Monsters)
literature
- Russell Johnson: Here on Gilligan's Island . Perennial Lib. ISBN 0-06096-993-8 .
Web links
- Russell Johnson in the Internet Movie Database (English)
- Russell Johnson in the nndb (English)
Individual evidence
- ↑ Lesley Messer: 'Gilligan's Island' star Russell Johnson Dies of Kidney Failure . abc news, January 16, 2014.
personal data | |
---|---|
SURNAME | Johnson, Russell |
BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American actor |
DATE OF BIRTH | November 10, 1924 |
PLACE OF BIRTH | Ashley , Pennsylvania |
DATE OF DEATH | January 16, 2014 |
Place of death | Washington, DC |