RIP “Professor”
![russell-johnson](https://i0.wp.com/valorguardians.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/russell-johnson-300x171.jpg?resize=300%2C171)
ROS and Eggs send us a link to the sad news that Russell Johnson, better known as “The Professor” on Gilligan’s Island has passed at the age of 89. He was the last surviving male member of the cast. Of course, because we’re mentioning him here, you know he was a veteran. Wiki says;
After high school, in the midst of World War II, Johnson joined the United States Army Air Forces as an aviation cadet and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. He flew 44 combat missions as a bombardier in B-25 bombers. While flying as a navigator in a B-25 with the 100th Bombardment Squadron, 42nd Bombardment Group, 13th Air Force, his plane and two other B-25s were shot down in the Philippines in March 1945 during a low level bombing and strafing run against Japanese targets. The planes were hit by intense flak and had to ditch in the waters off the port of Zamboanga. During the ditching, he broke both his ankles and the radioman next to him was killed. Johnson earned a Purple Heart for this mission. He was also awarded the Air Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three service stars, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one service star, and the World War II Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged with the rank of first lieutenant on November 22, 1945. He then joined the Army Reserve and used the GI Bill to fund his acting studies at the Actors Lab in Hollywood. At acting school he met actress Kay Levey, and they married on July 23, 1949.
I’m so old that I remember watching the summer previews of the Gilligan Island pilot show and barely able to contain myself waiting for the program to start.
Well, it’s all blue skies from here, Lieutenant.
Category: Blue Skies
Thank you Russell Johnson “Professor”, for your service. I always liked him. He didn’t get any big parts but he was and always will be, a great guy in my book.
RIP.
So many actors of his generation that served….we need more. Well done Lt. RIP.
R.I.P., Professor.
WOW! What a stud. RIP
“Greatest Generation” indeed. How many Hollywood luminaries are serving these….
Never mind. Rest in peace, Lieutenant.
Recall him a few westerns of the 50’s as the bad guy. Too bad all the “Islanders” were typecast because of the show.
So many real heroes lost lately. I suppose time will get us all in the end.
Rest in peace, Lieutenant Johnson. A real American hero.
“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
No, it’s not a bad legacy at all. Rest in Peace, Professor.
Wiki also says he was friends with Audie Murphy and played a lot of military roles during his acting career.
This quote was pretty good: “I was at a speaking engagement for MIT … and I said … the Professor has all sorts of degrees, including one from this very institution [MIT]! And that’s why I can make a radio out of a coconut, and not fix a hole in a boat!”
LOL!!!
Well, he has finally gotten off of the island. I read a book of his (autobiography), and he said that all of the Professor’s creations could be made. While attending a two day jungle survival course at Subic Bay, I was disappointed that we did not build a bamboo car like they had on GI.
@10. THAT is funny.
Stand easy, El Tee. Job well done!
I have the first two seasons of “The Twilight Zone” on DVD where he played different roles in episodes along with Buddy Ebsen (Jed Clampett) and William Shatner. I along with everyone else remember him as “The Professor”, the one many a grade school Sience Nerd aspired to be like!
R. I. P., Professor.
I honestly never knew he was a vet until now.
A role model in real life AND via the “Professor.” RIP, sir.
RIP Airdale
The Professor was one of those quiet WW2 bad asses. No bragging no showboating. Just a good man that served his country well.
As a former navigator and bombardier myself, I was surprised to see on a website for navigators he was one the WWII bomber generation, thanks for the post!
Rest in Peace.
He was a good man and leaves a great legacy that many of us, like me, hope to be able to aspire to.
Godspeed and blue skies to you Sir.
Salute.
Thanks for your service, Professor, RIP…
Along with a few others here, I never knew he was a veteran until now. Way to be a quiet professional!
RIP
This appears to be the mission report of the PBY that performed the rescue on the misson on which Johnson was shot down and injured:
http://www.pbyrescue.com/Rescues/04mar45.htm
Those SAR guys have always had biiiiiiiiiiiggggggg brass ones.