Who doesn’t love The Professor? 
Russell Johnson was born in Ashley, Pennsylvania, on November 10, 1924. He is a highly decorated veteran of World War II. Serving as a pilot in the Army Air Force, he flew 44 combat missions. When he was only 20 years old, his plane was shot down in the Philippines and both of his ankles were broken, earning him the Purple Heart. 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.
In his early acting career, he spent a lot of time playing the heavy in Cowboy shows, but he also appeared in several genre classics. He was in It Came From Outer Space and This Island Earth, as well as two episodes of Twilight Zone and one episode of Outer Limits. He also appeared in some less-than-classic features, such as Attack Of The Crab Monsters.
But, of course, Russell is best known for his portrayal of Professor Roy Hinkley on Gilligan’s Island. I really loved this character as a kid, as he appealed to my inner geek. The show may have been named after Gilligan, and the Skipper may have ostensibly been in charge, but these people would have been doomed without the Professor. He was the nerd and he was the hero because he was the nerd.
In later years, Russell continued to work despite being typecast after Gilligan’s Island. But he had no ill will toward the show or the character and continued to make personal appearances and guest shots as the Professor. In the early 90s, he released an entertaining book about his life and experiences on the show called Here On Gilligan’s Island.
Now well into his 80s, Russell spends his time as a volunteer fundraiser for AIDS research. His son David died of AIDS in 1994.
The world may forever debate whether Mary Ann or Ginger are hotter, but there can be no doubt who the hottest hunk on the island was.
Thumbs Up from me.
Russell Johnson was born in Ashley, Pennsylvania, on November 10, 1924. He is a highly decorated veteran of World War II. Serving as a pilot in the Army Air Force, he flew 44 combat missions. When he was only 20 years old, his plane was shot down in the Philippines and both of his ankles were broken, earning him the Purple Heart. 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.
In his early acting career, he spent a lot of time playing the heavy in Cowboy shows, but he also appeared in several genre classics. He was in It Came From Outer Space and This Island Earth, as well as two episodes of Twilight Zone and one episode of Outer Limits. He also appeared in some less-than-classic features, such as Attack Of The Crab Monsters.
But, of course, Russell is best known for his portrayal of Professor Roy Hinkley on Gilligan’s Island. I really loved this character as a kid, as he appealed to my inner geek. The show may have been named after Gilligan, and the Skipper may have ostensibly been in charge, but these people would have been doomed without the Professor. He was the nerd and he was the hero because he was the nerd.
In later years, Russell continued to work despite being typecast after Gilligan’s Island. But he had no ill will toward the show or the character and continued to make personal appearances and guest shots as the Professor. In the early 90s, he released an entertaining book about his life and experiences on the show called Here On Gilligan’s Island.
Now well into his 80s, Russell spends his time as a volunteer fundraiser for AIDS research. His son David died of AIDS in 1994.
The world may forever debate whether Mary Ann or Ginger are hotter, but there can be no doubt who the hottest hunk on the island was.
Thumbs Up from me.
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Actually, the Prof is doing better than I expected. Thank you, everybody who Voted Up. 
