Russell David Johnson (November 10, 1924 – January 16, 2014) was an American actor. He played Professor Roy Hinkley in Gilligan's Island and Marshal Gib Scott in Black Saddle.

Early life
Johnson was born in Ashley, Pennsylvania, on November 10, 1924,[1][2] to Russell Kennedy Johnson (1901–1932) and Marion Wenonah Smink Johnson (1902–1976).[3]

Johnson was the eldest of seven siblings: Kenneth W. Johnson (1925–2012), David Reed Johnson (1926–1976), Lois Marion Johnson (1927–1928), Lorraine Johnson Crosby (1928-2015), Marion Joan Johnson Reeves (1930–2010), and Paul Wesley Johnson (1932–1933).[2][3] Their father died of pneumonia in December 1932, and Paul Wesley died not long after. Minnie Johnson later remarried Thomas S. Lewis.[3]

As a teenager, Johnson attended Girard College, a private boarding school for fatherless boys, located in Philadelphia.[1]

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 as 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.[4]

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.

Johnson was honorably discharged as a first lieutenant on November 22, 1945, then joined the United States Air Force Reserve.[5]

Personal life
Johnson was married three times. His first marriage to Edith Cahoon in 1943 ended in divorce in 1948.[2]

In 1949 he married his second wife, Kay Cousins, whom he had met while at the Actors' Lab in Hollywood. Together they had a daughter, Kim, and a son, David. Cousins died on January 20, 1980, in Century City, California.

In 1982, Johnson married Constance "Connie" Dane, and became stepfather to her son, Courtney Dane.[9] It was here that Johnson collaborated with writer Steve Cox on the memoir, "Here on Gilligan's Isle," published in 1993.[2][10]

Russell's son David Johnson died of AIDS-related complications on October 27, 1994.[11] After his son's diagnosis with AIDS, Johnson frequently helped raise money for AIDS charities.[12]

Death
Johnson died from kidney failure at his home in Bainbridge Island, Washington, on January 16, 2014, aged 89.[13] His remains were cremated. Johnson's memorial service was held a month later.[14]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_Johnson#Early_life

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Actor. He is best remembered for his role as "Professor Roy Hinkley, Jr." in the 1960s television comedy series "Gilligan's Island." A graduate of Girard College in Pennsylvania, he served in the Second World War as a bombardier in the United States Army Air Forces. He was shot down over the Philippines in March 1945, receiving a Purple Heart for breaking both his ankles. In addition to his Purple Heart, he was also the recipient of several distinguished military awards including the Good Conduct Medal, the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the Bronze Star, the World War Two Victory Medal and three service stars. Honorably discharged as a commissioned officer following the war, he entered the Army Reserves, utilizing the GI Bill to pursue an acting career. His early film work was primarily focused on western classics and science fiction roles. He made his film debut in the 1952 motion picture "For Men Only." His other notable film credits include: "Loan Shark" (1952), "Seminole" (1953), "Law and Order" (1953), "It Came from Outer Space" (1953), "The Stand at Apache River" (1953), "Tumbleweed" (1953), "Johnny Dark" (1954), "Many Rivers to Cross" (1954), "This Island Earth" (1955), "God Is in the Streets" (1956), "Courage of Black Beauty" (1957), "Attack of the Crab Monsters" (1957), "The Space Children" (1958), "Badman's Country" (1958), "The Lawman" (1959), "A Distant Trumpet" (1964), "Cry for Poor Wally" (1969), "Hitch Hike to Hell" (1977), "Sammy" (1977), "The Great Skycopter Rescue" (1978), "Off the Wall" (1983), "Blue Movies" (1988) and "Hellbender" (1996). His numerous television credits include: "The Lone Ranger," "The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin," "You Are There," "The Silent Service," "The Twilight Zone," "Route 66," "Ben Casey," "Wagon Train," "Laramie," "Rawhide," "77 Sunset Strip," "The Outer Limits," "The Invaders," "The Big Valley," "Death Valley Days," "Lassie," "That Girl," "Marcus Welby M.D.," "Ironside," "Gunsmoke," "Mannix," "Police Story," "Wonder Woman," "Bosom Buddies," "The Jeffersons," "Dallas," "MacGyver," "Newhart," "Dynasty," "Knots Landing" and "Rosanne." He appeared in the daytime soap series "Days of Our Lives" and "Santa Barbara," and also appeared in several made for TV reunion movies involving the cast of Gilligan's Island, following the series cancellation in 1967. At the conclusion of his acting career in the late 1990s, he moved to Bainbridge Island in Washington state, where he remained active in voice over and commercial work in the Seattle area. Following the death of his son David in 1994 from AIDS, he became a volunteer activist in HIV research and fund raising activities. In 1993 he co-authored the book "Here on Gilligan's Island," sharing personal memories of his work on the popular television series. He died at his Bainbridge Island home from kidney failure.* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Feb 17 2022, 19:28:10 UTC