Russell Johnson
Biography
Russell Johnson was an American actor who, after serving in the Army Air Forces during World War II, studied acting at the Actors' Lab in Hollywood on the G.I. Bill. His screen career began in 1952 with Loan Shark and For Men Only. Early roles included Westerns such as Seminole (1953) and Law and Order (1953), plus science fiction films like This Island Earth (1955), It Came from Outer Space (1953), Attack of the Crab Monsters (1957), and The Space Children (1958). He also appeared in Many Rivers to Cross (1955) alongside Alan Hale Jr. From 1959 to 1960 he co-starred as Marshal Gib Scott on Black Saddle. He became best known as Professor Roy Hinkley on Gilligan's Island, which aired from 1964 to 1967, and he later reprised the role in Rescue from Gilligan's Island (1978). His other credits included MacArthur (1977), where he played Admiral Ernest J. King, and The Horror at 37,000 Feet (1973).
89years old at death
- Born Ashley
- Died Bainbridge Island
- Star sign: ScorpioThe sign runs October 23 to November 21
Movie Career
- Films
- 15
- Career span
- 44 years1952 to 1996
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Early training
Russell Johnson trained as an actor at the Actors' Lab in Hollywood, paying for the studies with his G.I. Bill benefits after his honorable discharge from the military.
A role that slipped away
In a Starlog interview in the early 1980s, Johnson said he was never cast on the original Star Trek, though he had hoped to appear during its 1966 to 1969 NBC run.
About the name
Johnson was credited as "The Professor Emeritus of Gilligan's Island" when he took part in an Ig Nobel award presentation ceremony.
Russell Johnson movies on Netflix
Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movieas Steve Carlson
Rescue from Gilligan's Islandas Professor Roy Hinkley, Jr.
MacArthuras Admiral King
The Horror at 37,000 Feetas Jim Hawley
A Distant Trumpetas Captain Brinker
The Space Childrenas Joe Gamble
Attack of the Crab Monstersas Hank Chapman
Many Rivers to Crossas Banks
Strange Lady in Townas Shadduck
This Island Earthas Dr. Steve Carlson
Black Tuesdayas Howard Sloane
Ride Clear of Diabloas Jed Ringer
It Came from Outer Spaceas George
Seminoleas Lt. Hamilton
Loan Sharkas Charlie Thompson
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
Jack Arnold directed two of these films. Sixteen actors appear in two of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.







Films together
Alan Hale Jr.2 films together, 1955 to 1978
Alan Hale Jr.'s page Rescue from Gilligan's Island1978IMDb rating 5.4Johnson as Professor Roy Hinkley, Jr.Hale as Skipper Jonas Grumby
Many Rivers to Cross1955IMDb rating 6.2Johnson as BanksHale as Luke Radford
Douglas Spencer2 films together, 1955 to 1996
Douglas Spencer's page Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie1996IMDb rating 7.1Johnson as Steve CarlsonSpencer as The Monitor of Metaluna
This Island Earth1955IMDb rating 5.9Johnson as Dr. Steve CarlsonSpencer as The Monitor
Richard Carlson2 films together, 1953
Richard Carlson's page It Came from Outer Space1953IMDb rating 6.5Johnson as GeorgeCarlson as John Putnam
Seminole1953IMDb rating 6.2Johnson as Lt. HamiltonCarlson as Major Degan
Paul Birch2 films together, 1954 to 1955
Paul Birch's page Strange Lady in Town1955IMDb rating 6.1Johnson as ShadduckBirch as Sheriff
Ride Clear of Diablo1954IMDb rating 6.8Johnson as Jed RingerBirch as Fred Kenyon
Robert Bray2 films together, 1953 to 1954
Robert Bray's page Ride Clear of Diablo1954IMDb rating 6.8Johnson as Jed RingerBray as Jackson
Seminole1953IMDb rating 6.2Johnson as Lt. Hamilton
Richard H. Cutting2 films together, 1953 to 1957
Richard H. Cutting's page Attack of the Crab Monsters1957IMDb rating 4.9Johnson as Hank ChapmanCutting as Dr. James Carson
It Came from Outer Space1953IMDb rating 6.5Johnson as GeorgeCutting as Radio Announcer
Jack ArnoldDirector, 2 films, 1953 to 1958
All films by Jack Arnold The Space Children1958IMDb rating 4.4Johnson as Joe Gamble
It Came from Outer Space1953IMDb rating 6.5Johnson as George
Also two films together10 more actors
- Jeff MorrowMystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie (1996) and This Island Earth (1955)
- Lance FullerMystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie (1996) and This Island Earth (1955)
- Lane BradfordA Distant Trumpet (1964) and Ride Clear of Diablo (1954)
- Robert NicholsMystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie (1996) and This Island Earth (1955)
- Ralph MoodyMany Rivers to Cross (1955) and Seminole (1953)
- Faith DomergueMystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie (1996) and This Island Earth (1955)
- Regis PartonMystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie (1996) and This Island Earth (1955)
- Rex ReasonMystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie (1996) and This Island Earth (1955)
- William PullenRide Clear of Diablo (1954) and It Came from Outer Space (1953)
- Karl Ludwig LindtMystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie (1996) and This Island Earth (1955)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.
Awards
Two awards and honors.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| Air Medal | Won | ||
| Purple Heart | Won | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.





