Posted on 01/16/2014 4:00:22 PM PST by WXRGina
Edited on 01/16/2014 4:28:11 PM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]
Actor Russell Johnson, best known as "the professor" in the 1960s TV sitcom "Gilligan's Island," died Thursday, his agent said. Johnson was 89.
Johnson played the iconic role of Professor Roy Hinkley, whose scientific schemes to get the castaways rescued were always foiled by Gilligan's bumbling.
(Excerpt) Read more at wcvb.com ...
RIP. I think only Dawn “Mary Ann” Wells and Tina “Ginger” Louise are left.
You are correct.
“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-24 Liberator bombers. While flying as a navigator in a B-24 with the 100th Bombardment Squadron, 42nd Bombardment Group, 13th Air Force, his plane and two other B-24s 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 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.[1] At acting school, he met actress Kay Levey; they married on July 23, 1949.[2]”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_Johnson
He was a bonafide war hero as were many of his generation. They fought for us they didn’t fight against us.
Bless you and your service Mr. Johnson. You were a hero and a cultural icon.
RIP
Wow, I didn’t know most of the cast was already gone.
Thanks for that, Freedumb2003! A hero! Rest in peace, Mr. Johnson.
Another of the “best” is gone. Rest in peace Sir!
I feel old. I think I will take some extra turmeric and cumin.
A cheesy series,for sure, but iconic.
Something about is still appealing - maybe it was the time.
Did he ever get off the island?
I’ve been watching the reruns...It’s light and fluffy and fun....and just plain silly sometimes...and there’s no doubt...it’s fiction.
RIP Professor Roy Hinckley.
You mean its not possible to hang on to a palm tree in a typhoon, be blown horizontal but not lose your hat?
episode 1 & 2 air tonight on TVLand 7:36PM to 8:48PM
Yes, they did - they made several made for TV movies. They wound up making a resort out of their island.
My he Rest In Peace.
And you can catch 12 minutes of another episode on MeTV.
RIP
RIP Professor
I always love a guy who can make a radio out of coconuts.
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