Russell Johnson

Actor

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.

"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

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

Russell Johnson on advice to aspiring actors

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

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

Full Interview

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

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Russell Johnson

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Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

ALF

Adventures of Superman

Ben Casey

Black Saddle

Bosom Buddies

Dynasty

FBI, The

General Electric True

Gilligan's Island

Irwin Shaw's Rich Man, Poor Man

Lassie

Lone Ranger, The

Lou Grant

NBC Matinee Theater

Newhart

Outer Limits, The (1963-65)

Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law

Police Story

Rescue 8

Roseanne

Santa Barbara

Twilight Zone, The

You Are There

Advice

Anthology Drama

Characters & Catchphrases

Creative Influences and Inspiration

Criticism of TV

Hollywood Blacklist

Pivotal Career Moments

Pop Culture

TV Theme Songs

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

Television Industry

Actor

Performers

Classic Anthology Series

Comedy Series

TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials

Western Series

Jim Backus

Roger Corman

Bob Denver

Alan Hale, Jr.

Tom Hanks

Paul Henreid

Albert McCleery

Natalie Schafer

Sherwood Schwartz

Rod Serling

Tom Shales

George Stevens

Ethel Winant

All Interviews