Russell Johnson

Actor

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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About

About this interview

In his two-hour Archive interview, Russell Johnson (1924-2014) talks about his early years learning his craft at the Actors Lab in Hollywood. He describes his work in movies ("It Came From Outer Space") and on live television in the 1950s, and recalls his work as a guest star on television series such as, You Are There, The Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits. Johnson describes his first series as a regular, Black Saddle, and details the role for which he is most identified, as "The Professor" on Gilligan's Island. Karen Herman conducted the interview on February 8, 2004 in Glendale, CA.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"I've had people in the ensuing years say to me, 'if they did 'Gilligan's Island' today you'd all be living in the same tent.' It's true. That innocence was kept and it worked."

People Talking About ...

Russell Johnson

Highlights

Russell Johnson on being cast on Gilligan's Island

04:12

Russell Johnson on his fellow cast members on Gilligan's Island

03:22

Russell Johnson on advice to aspiring actors

02:41

Russell Johnson on appearing on The Twilight Zone in the teleplay "The Execution"

01:17

Russell Johnson on being questioned about his politics because of his name

05:29

Full Interview

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Chapter 1

On his early years and developing an interest in acting; on studying at the Actors Lab; on his first television and film roles and his early memories of TV

On acting in early television on anthology series Lux Theatre, Matinee Theater, and You Are There

On the Hollywood Blacklist

On acting in early TV Westerns

Chapter 2

On appearing in early television Westerns as the "heavy"; on being cast as a regular on the Western series Black Saddle; on guest appearances

On guest appearances on The Lone Range r, The Twilight Zone and other TV shows; on appearing in the 3-D movie "It Came From Outer Space"

On being cast on Gilligan's Island; on working with Sherwood Schwartz and playing "The Professor" on the series

Chapter 3

On fan reactions and critics' reactions to Gilligan's Island; on the end of the series

On his post-Gilligan's Island work, including roles on Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law, TV movies of Gilligan's Island, and voiceover work

Chapter 4

On some of the series on which he guest-starred, including Lassie and Dynasty; on his work in the film "The Greatest Story Ever Told"

On his career highlights; on his advice to aspiring actors; on how he would like to be remembered; on his service in World War II

Shows

ALF

Russell Johnson on appearing as "The Professor" on shows other than Gilligan's Island

00:23

Adventures of Superman

Russell Johnson on his guest appearance on Adventures of Superman

00:25

Ben Casey

Russell Johnson on his guest appearance on Ben Casey

00:23

Black Saddle

Russell Johnson on being cast as a regular on the Western series Black Saddle

01:48

Bosom Buddies

Russell Johnson on guest-starring on Bosom Buddies

00:37

Dynasty

Russell Johnson on appearing on Dynasty

01:03

FBI, The

Russell Johnson on appearing with Harrison Ford on The F.B.I.

01:27

General Electric True

Russell Johnson on his appearance on General Electric True

00:59

Gilligan's Island

Russell Johnson on being cast on Gilligan's Island

04:12

Russell Johnson on his initial impressions of Gilligan's Island

01:13

Russell Johnson on typical production on Gilligan's Island

02:54

Russell Johnson on his fellow cast members on Gilligan's Island

03:22

Russell Johnson on working with Sherwood Schwartz on Gilligan's Island

02:08

Russell Johnson on co-starring as "The Professor" on Gilligan's Island

00:59

Russell Johnson on the theme song to Gilligan's Island and being part of "the rest"

00:52

Russell Johnson on interacting with network executives on Gilligan's Island

01:27

Russell Johnson on his favorite episodes (ones with dream sequences) of Gilligan's Island

01:20

Russell Johnson on working with guest stars on Gilligan's Island

00:59

Russell Johnson on the critics' reactions to Gilligan's Island

01:59

Russell Johnson on reactions from fans of Gilligan's Island

00:52

Russell Johnson on questions he gets asked from people about Gilligan's Island

01:21

Russell Johnson on the cancellation of Gilligan's Island

01:00

Russell Johnson on the TV movies of Gilligan's Island

01:39

Russell Johnson on appearing as "The Professor" on shows other than Gilligan's Island

02:14

Russell Johnson on working with animals on Gilligan's Island

00:51

Irwin Shaw's Rich Man, Poor Man

Russell Johnson on appearing on Rich Man, Poor Man

00:45

Lassie

Russell Johnson briefly on difficulties working with animals when guesting on a Lassie episode

00:56

Lone Ranger, The

Russell Johnson on appearing on The Lone Ranger

00:42

Lou Grant

Russell Johnson on guest-starring on Lou Grant

00:20

NBC Matinee Theater

Russell Johnson on his early appearances on Matinee Theater

00:34

Newhart

Russell Johnson on appearing on Newhart

00:28

Outer Limits, The (1963-65)

Russell Johnson on appearing on The Outer Limits

00:46

Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law

Russell Johnson on his appearances as the district attorney on Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law

01:44

Police Story

Russell Johnson on guest-starring on Police Story

00:24

Rescue 8

Russell Johnson on appearing on Rescue 8

01:28

Roseanne

Russell Johnson on appearing as "The Professor" on shows other than Gilligan's Island

00:51

Santa Barbara

Russell Johnson on appearing on Santa Barbara

00:36

Twilight Zone, The

Russell Johnson on appearing on The Twilight Zone in the teleplay "The Execution"

01:17

Russell Johnson on appearing on The Twilight Zone in the teleplay "Back There"

02:46

You Are There

Russell Johnson on his work on You Are There

01:36

Topics

Advice

Russell Johnson on advice to aspiring actors

02:41

Anthology Drama

Russell Johnson on enjoying working in live television

01:52

Characters & Catchphrases

Russell Johnson on "The Professor" being asexual on Gilligan's Island

01:40

Creative Influences and Inspiration

Russell Johnson on his mentor, Paul Henreid

01:48

Russell Johnson on his mentor, Paul Henreid

01:48

Criticism of TV

Russell Johnson on the critics' reactions to Gilligan's Island

01:59

Hollywood Blacklist

Russell Johnson on being questioned about his politics because of his name

05:29

Pivotal Career Moments

Russell Johnson on his mentor, Paul Henreid

01:48

Pop Culture

Russell Johnson on "The Professor" being asexual on Gilligan's Island

01:40

Russell Johnson on the theme song to Gilligan's Island and being part of "the rest"

00:52

TV Theme Songs

Russell Johnson on the theme song to Gilligan's Island and being part of "the rest"

00:52

TV's Golden Age (1940s & '50s)

Russell Johnson on enjoying working in live television

01:52

Television Industry

Russell Johnson on being questioned about his politics because of his name

05:29

Russell Johnson on the critics' reactions to Gilligan's Island

01:59

Russell Johnson on advice to aspiring actors

02:41

Professions

Actor

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Russell Johnson on studying at the Actors Lab

04:27

Russell Johnson on the challenges of working in live television

01:12

Russell Johnson on advice to aspiring actors

02:41

Russell Johnson on his acting style and how he prepares for roles

Performers

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Russell Johnson on studying at the Actors Lab

04:27

Russell Johnson on the challenges of working in live television

00:10

Russell Johnson on advice to aspiring actors

02:41

Russell Johnson on his acting style and how he prepares for roles

02:10

Genres

Classic Anthology Series

Russell Johnson on enjoying working in live television

01:52

Comedy Series

On being cast on Gilligan's Island; on working with Sherwood Schwartz and playing "The Professor" on the series

08:49

Russell Johnson on co-starring on Gilligan's Island

11:12

TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials

Russell Johnson on the TV movies of Gilligan's Island

01:39

Western Series

Russell Johnson on appearing in early television Westerns as the "heavy"

03:28

People

Jim Backus

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Russell Johnson on his fellow cast members on Gilligan's Island - Jim Backus

02:03

Roger Corman

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Russell Johnson on his work in the film "Attack of the Crab Monsters" for Roger Corman

01:41

Bob Denver

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Russell Johnson on his fellow cast members on Gilligan's Island - Bob Denver

00:37

Alan Hale, Jr.

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Russell Johnson on his fellow cast members on Gilligan's Island - Alan Hale, Jr.

00:27

Tom Hanks

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Russell Johnson on guest-starring on Bosom Buddies

00:37

Paul Henreid

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Russell Johnson on his mentor, Paul Henreid

01:48

Albert McCleery

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Russell Johnson on his early appearances on Matinee Theater

00:34

Natalie Schafer

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Russell Johnson on his fellow cast members on Gilligan's Island - Natalie Schafer

01:23

Sherwood Schwartz

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Russell Johnson on working with Sherwood Schwartz on Gilligan's Island

02:08

Rod Serling

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Russell Johnson on meeting Rod Serling while appearing on The Twilight Zone

00:29

Tom Shales

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Russell Johnson on the critics' reactions to Gilligan's Island

00:41

George Stevens

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Russell Johnson on his work in the film "The Greatest Story Ever Told"

04:16

Ethel Winant

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Russell Johnson on working with casting director Ethel Winant

00:25