Trivia

During World War II, he enlisted to become an aviation cadet and rose to the officer's rank of First Lieutenant, under the service number 765 497. Flew as bombardier in B-25 aircraft on a total of 44 combat missions over the Netherlands East Indies, and the Philippines. World War II decorations include the Bronze Star, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three service stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one service star, and the World War II Victory Medal with Honorable Service Lapel Button. Earned his Purple Heart (for injuries during battle) when the B-24 Liberator bomber he was a crewman on was shot down during a bombing run against Japanese targets in the Philippine Islands in March 1945.

With the death of Bob Denver on September 2, 2005, he was the last surviving male cast member of Gilligan's Island (1964). This was up until his death in 2014.

Son David died of AIDS at age 39 on October 27, 1994. Before, and especially since, David's death Johnson devotes a great deal his time to AIDS fund-raising.

Johnson and actress Dawn Wells are best known for their roles on the comedy series Gilligan's Island (1964), but they are also known for their ambiguous infamous reference "and the rest" in the series' original theme song. The phrase was later rephrased by "The Professor and Mary Ann" after protests from the other actors and a threat by Bob Denver to quit the show if the lyrics weren't re-written and Johnson's and Wells' pictures weren't added to the opening credits.

Served for over twelve years as an officer of the Air Force, first as an active duty World War II bombardier (1944-45) and then as an inactive member of the Officer Reserve Corps. Upon the creation of the U.S. Air Force, in the late 1940s, was augmented to the U.S. Air Force Reserve and briefly was a member of the 4th Air Reserve District in San Francisco. In 1953, became an inactive officer once again and received final discharge from the Air Force Reserve in August 1957.

Johnson revealed on Surviving Gilligan's Island: The Incredibly True Story of the Longest Three Hour Tour in History (2001) that producers wanted him to take off his shirt during the screen test to determine his sex appeal, but he refused. The producers settled for a photo instead. (2001)

Had twice starred on The Twilight Zone (1959), both times in time travel stories.

Once Russell Johnson was buying tools at Builders Emporium in the 1990s and the clerk asked him, "Are you going to fix the radio?".

Had played the same character (Professor Roy Hinkley) on six different series: Gilligan's Island (1964), The New Adventures of Gilligan (1974), Gilligan's Planet (1982), ALF (1986), New Monkees (1987) and Meego (1997).

Died at his home on Bainbridge Island, Washington State. His wife Connie and his daughter were at his side.

Was originally best known for playing character villains, but that changed dramatically after he played the Professor on Gilligan's Island (1964), which was the diametrically opposite type of character.

Was a member of the National Honor Society while in high school.

Was enrolled in a Hollywood drama school when he was spotted by Paul Henreid, who cast him in For Men Only (1952).

Known for narrating the long-running anime series Robotech (1985).

Enlisted in the United States Army in November 1942. Was assigned the service number 13 154 406 and served for two years, before being discharged in January 1944 to accept a commission as an officer.

Auditioned for the title role on the television series Ben Casey (1961), but lost out to actor Vince Edwards.

Had appeared in the television movie The Man from Independence (1974) about the life of Harry Truman, followed by the story of the conflict between Harry Truman and General Douglas MacArthur in Collision Course: Truman vs. MacArthur (1976), followed by the movie biography MacArthur (1977) about the life of Douglas MacArthur.

Co-authored "Here On Gilligan's Isle" offering behind the scene anecdotes and the revelation. that the Professor's many experiments were actually scientifically correct.

Best known for his role as Professor Roy Hinkley on Gilligan's Island (1964).

Lived in semi-retirement on Bainbridge Island, Washington State.

Immortalized by the obscure Canadian band Show Business Giants in their song, "I Can't Get Russell Johnson Off My Mind", from their 1995 album "Let's Have a Talk With the Dead".

Parents were Russell J. and Minnie K. Johnson and he had an older sister, Marian L. Johnson.

Older brother (by one year) of character actor Ken Johnson.

Three children: two, David and Kim Johnson with his second wife, Kay Cousins Johnson; and one stepson, Courtney Dane, with his third wife, Constance Dane.

He was injured twice. In World War 2, where he broke his ankles and on the set of Attack of the Crab Monsters, where he broke his toe.

Johnson was cremated at the Cook Family Funeral Home Bainbridge Island, Washington.

Widower of Kay Cousins.