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Russell Johnson

Russell Johnson

Actor · Died January 16, 2014, aged 89 · Ashley, Pennsylvania, USA

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Russell David Johnson (November 10, 1924 – January 16, 2014) was an American actor, best known for his role as Professor Roy Hinkley in Gilligan's Island. Military career After graduating from high school, Johnson enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces as an aviation cadet. On completing his training, he was commissioned a second lieutenant. He flew 44 combat missions in the Pacific Theater during World War II as a bombardier in B-25 twin-engined medium bombers. On March 4, 1945, while flying as a navigator in a B-25 with the 100th Bombardment Squadron, 42nd Bombardment Group, 13th Air Force, his B-25 and two others were shot down during a low-level bombing and strafing run against Japanese military targets in the Philippine Islands. The B-25s encountered heavy anti-aircraft fire, and all three had to ditch in the sea off Zamboanga. Johnson broke both ankles in the landing, and his bomber's co-pilot was killed. Johnson received a Purple Heart for his injuries. He was also awarded the Air Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three campaign stars, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one campaign star, and the World War II Victory Medal. After Japan's surrender, Johnson was honorably discharged as a first lieutenant on November 22, 1945. He joined the United States Air Force Reserve and used the G.I. Bill to pay for his acting studies at the Actors' Lab in Hollywood. While there, he met actress Kay Cousins (1923–1980), whom he married in 1949. His early roles were primarily in Westerns such as Rancho Notorious (1952, starring Marlene Dietrich), Seminole (1953), Law and Order (1953, opposite Ronald Reagan), and Badman's Country (1958), and science fiction films such as It Came from Outer Space (1953), This Island Earth (1955), Attack of the Crab Monsters (1956), and The Space Children (1958). He also appeared in a Ma and Pa Kettle vehicle, Ma and Pa Kettle at Waikiki (1955), as well as in Roger Corman's rock-'n'-roll crime drama Rock All Night (1957). In 1955, he had a role in Many Rivers to Cross along with Alan Hale Jr., later as the Skipper from Gilligan's Island. "The Professor" on Gilligan's Island Johnson was best known for playing Professor Roy Hinkley (usually called the "Professor"), the very knowledgeable polymath who could build all sorts of inventions out of the most rudimentary materials available on the island. As Johnson himself pointed out, though, he could not fix the hole in the boat. In the first episode of the show, the radio announcer describes the Professor as a research scientist and well-known scoutmaster. Gilligan's Island aired from 1964-67, but has been shown in reruns continuously ever since. CLR

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
November 10, 1924
Died
January 16, 2014 (aged 89)
From
Ashley, Pennsylvania, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
56 on MovieCove · 121 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 38 days to Oct 27Down 42% in 30 days

What are Russell Johnson's films like?

Across their 26 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Society.

Genres

Drama8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 47th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Crime4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 43rd percentile
: browse their Crime movies
Horror3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 44th percentile
: browse their Horror movies
Comedy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 42nd percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Western2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 45th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Western movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
31%
Society
22%
Survival
21%
Bonds
10%
Self
9%
Ideas
5%
Power
2%
Justice9 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival10 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity7 titles, browse their movies with this themePrejudice4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDuty3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 22 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 16 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 1

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 2 · Charged 17 · Intense 3

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 9 · Shifting 12 · Whiplash 1

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 14 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 3

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 4 · Even-paced 17 · Relentless 1

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 14 · Engaged 8 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 20 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

11 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 3 of 11 analyzed roles.

Shadow
3 of 11
Ally
3 of 11
Mentor
3 of 11
Hero
2 of 11
Show the 11 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
20
Joyful
6
Thrilling
7
Absurd
6
Dread
4
Other
22

How their films linger

Fun10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy10
  • Bittersweet7
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous5
  • Cyclical3

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Russell Johnson's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 28 of their 56 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (19).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Russell Johnson's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

121 credits, 56 with a MovieCove page; 6 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • E! True Hollywood Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie(1996)

    as Steve Carlson (archive footage)

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • Monsters(1988)

    Show 1 episode · as Jeffrey

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Roseanne(1988)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • Blue Movies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Mr. Martin

  • ALF(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Roy Hinkley

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • MacGyver (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Oslow

  • Off the Wall (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Mr. Whitby

  • Newhart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Gilligan's Planet(1982)

    Show 13 episodes · as Roy "The Professor" Hinkley (voice)

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows

  • Fame (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island(1981)

    as Professor

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Dynasty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

  • The Great Skycopter Rescue (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Professor Benson

  • Bosom Buddies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Beyond Westworld(1980)

    Show 2 episodes · as Patrick

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all shows

  • Knots Landing(1979)

    Show 1 episode · as Tim Murphy

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all shows

  • The Castaways on Gilligan's Island (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Professor

  • Rescue from Gilligan's Island(1978)

    as Professor Roy Hinkley, Jr.

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • The Bastard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 1 episode · as Col. James Barrett

  • No Margin for Error(1978)

    as Captain

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Ghost of Flight 401(1978)

    as Loft

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Lou Grant (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • MacArthur(1977)

    as Admiral King

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Nowhere to Hide (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Charles Montague

  • Code R (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Ike

  • Hitch Hike to Hell(1977)

    as Captain J.W. Shaw

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Rich Man, Poor Man - Book II (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 2 episodes · as Detective

  • Collision Course: Truman vs. MacArthur (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Gen. George Stratemeyer

  • Wonder Woman(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Colonel

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all shows

  • Three Days of the Condor(1975)

    as Intelligence Officer at Briefing (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • You Lie So Deep, My Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as The Foreman

  • Adventures of the Queen(1975)

    as Forbes

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Jeffersons(1975)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Aloha Means Goodbye (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Dr. Frank Franklin

  • The New Adventures of Gilligan(1974)

    Show 32 episodes · as Professor Roy Hinkley (voice)

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all shows

  • The Man from Independence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Linaver

  • Beg, Borrow ... or Steal(1973)

    as Alex Langley

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Police Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Hawkins (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 1 episode · as District Attorney

  • The Horror at 37,000 Feet(1973)

    as Jim Hawley

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • ABC Afterschool Special (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Calder

  • McMillan & Wife(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Carl Jensen

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 23 episodes · as Asst D.A. Grant · as Asst. D.A. Brenton Grant · as Asst. D.A. Grant · as Brenton Grant · as DA Grant · as Prosecutor

  • Cannon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Vanished (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 2 episodes · as Clyde Morehouse

  • The Movie Murderer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Cliff Thomas

  • Cry for Poor Wally (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Actor

  • Mannix(1967)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Ironside (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · as Martin Lucas

  • The Invaders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · as James Bernard

  • Felony Squad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · as Tye Laughlin

  • That Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • The F.B.I. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. McGregor · as Jim Kellogg · as Phillip Graham

  • The Greatest Story Ever Told(1965)

    as Scribe

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Gilligan's Island(1964)

    Show 98 episodes · as Professor

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • A Distant Trumpet(1964)

    as Captain Brinker

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • The Great Adventure (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 3 episodes · as Narrator (voice) · as Self - Narrator

  • Temple Houston (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Greatest Show on Earth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Arnold Andrews

  • The Outer Limits(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Major Benedict

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • The Dakotas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • General Electric True (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Ben Casey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Ripcord (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Route 66(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Bob Keel

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Thriller (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Adam Talmadge

  • The Detectives (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Lee

  • Hawaiian Eye (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Adventures in Paradise (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Bowman

  • The Twilight Zone(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Pete Corrigan · as Prof. Manion

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • The DuPont Show with June Allyson (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Hugh · as Tom Richards

  • Laramie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Bob Murkland

  • Riverboat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Darius

  • The Deputy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Albee Beckett

  • Black Saddle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 44 episodes · as Marshal Gib Scott

  • Rawhide (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Burt Harvey

  • 77 Sunset Strip (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Lawman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Steve Canyon(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Maj. Pitch Hammer

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • The Saga of Hemp Brown(1958)

    as Hook

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Badman's Country(1958)

    as Sundance

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • The Space Children(1958)

    as Joe Gamble

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Jefferson Drum (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as The Sundown Kid

  • Wagon Train(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Craig Manson · as Major Dan Marriott · as Steve Marshall

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Courage of Black Beauty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Ben Farraday

  • Rock All Night(1957)

    as Jigger

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Tales of Wells Fargo(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as William Dodd

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Attack of the Crab Monsters(1957)

    as Hank Chapman

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Crossroads (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Jack Fromer

  • Alfred Hitchcock Presents(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Turk

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Kings Row (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Gunsmoke (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Diggs · as Harry Webb · as Link Parrin · as Stanger

  • This Island Earth(1955)

    as Steve Carlson

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Strange Lady in Town(1955)

    as Shadduck

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Ma and Pa Kettle at Waikiki (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Eddie Nelson

  • Many Rivers to Cross(1955)

    as Banks

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Black Tuesday(1954)

    as Howard Sloane

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Show 1 episode · as Sgt. Stan Powers

  • Lassie(1954)

    Show 4 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows

  • Johnny Dark(1954)

    as Emory

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Ride Clear of Diablo(1954)

    as Jed Ringer

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Tumbleweed(1953)

    as Lam Blandon

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • City Detective (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Stand at Apache River(1953)

    as Greiner

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • It Came from Outer Space(1953)

    as George

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Column South(1953)

    as Biddle

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Law and Order(1953)

    as Jimmy Johnson

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Seminole(1953)

    as Lt. Hamilton

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • You Are There (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Back at the Front(1952)

    as Johnny Redondo - Smuggler

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Cavalcade of America (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    Show 1 episode · as Dan Marshall · as Karl Nader

  • Adventures of Superman(1952)

    Show 1 episode · as Man on Phone in Montage (archive footage)

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • The Turning Point(1952)

    as Herman (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Loan Shark(1952)

    as Charlie Thompson

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Rancho Notorious(1952)

    as Chuck-A-Luck Wheel Spinner (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • For Men Only (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    as Ky Walker

  • Hallmark Hall of Fame (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Show 1 episode · as Lefty

  • Lux Video Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Show 1 episode · as Carter · as Lennigan

  • The Lone Ranger(1949)

    Show 1 episode · as Tom Levering

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • Stevie and Zoya (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Show as Narrator

Career shape

Star power in the 92nd percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 121 titles, 120 of them dated from 1949 to 1996; peak year 1996.

Biggest box office

It Came from Outer Space (1953)

$270 worldwide

Highest rated

Ride Clear of Diablo (1954)

Midcredits 76th

Most popular right now

Gilligan's Island (1964)

Film career

19491996

Peak 1996 · steadily prominent in film for years. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting121 of 121: 121 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score57th

By decade

1940s1 · acting1950s52 · acting1960s20 · acting1970s31 · acting1980s14 · acting1990s2 · acting

Billing

usually 11th · top billed in 0% of 14 roles
5257

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Russell Johnson's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 49th percentile, the median of all 34; across their 22 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 47th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

47thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 22

Approval · how many liked their films

42ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 22

Reach · how many have seen their films

34thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 22

Midcredits score across 56 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up9
  • 50th to 74th24
  • 25th to 49th14
  • Below 25th9

Shape of the crowd

31 of their 56 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Crowd Pleaser31
  • Broadly Agreed4
  • Mixed19

Most divisive · actor

The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island (1981)

84th percentile spread · 49% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Three Days of the Condor (1975)

Midcredits 92nd · 83% liked

Reviewers score the acting 58/100 in their films, across 20 reviewed titles; fans 68, detractors 40. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Russell Johnson work with?

People who share at least 2 of Russell Johnson's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Herman Stein shares the most, 7.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles