About
"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."
In his two-hour 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, including 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 well-known, "The Professor" on Gilligan's Island. Karen Herman conducted the interview on February 8, 2004 in Glendale, CA.
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
Adventures of Superman
Russell Johnson on his guest appearance on Adventures of Superman
ALF
Russell Johnson on appearing as "The Professor" on shows other than Gilligan's Island
Ben Casey
Russell Johnson on his guest appearance on Ben Casey
Black Saddle
Russell Johnson on being cast as a regular on the Western series Black Saddle
Bosom Buddies
Russell Johnson on guest-starring on Bosom Buddies
Dynasty
Russell Johnson on appearing on Dynasty
FBI, The
Russell Johnson on appearing with Harrison Ford on The F.B.I.
General Electric True
Russell Johnson on his appearance on General Electric True
Gilligan's Island
Russell Johnson on being cast on Gilligan's Island
Russell Johnson on his initial impressions of Gilligan's Island
Russell Johnson on typical production on Gilligan's Island
Russell Johnson on his fellow cast members on Gilligan's Island
Russell Johnson on working with Sherwood Schwartz on Gilligan's Island
Russell Johnson on co-starring as "The Professor" on Gilligan's Island
Russell Johnson on the theme song to Gilligan's Island and being part of "the rest"
Russell Johnson on interacting with network executives on Gilligan's Island
Russell Johnson on his favorite episodes (ones with dream sequences) of Gilligan's Island
Russell Johnson on working with guest stars on Gilligan's Island
Russell Johnson on the critics' reactions to Gilligan's Island
Russell Johnson on reactions from fans of Gilligan's Island
Russell Johnson on questions he gets asked from people about Gilligan's Island
Russell Johnson on the cancellation of Gilligan's Island
Russell Johnson on the TV movies of Gilligan's Island
Russell Johnson on appearing as "The Professor" on shows other than Gilligan's Island
Russell Johnson on working with animals on Gilligan's Island
Irwin Shaw's Rich Man, Poor Man
Russell Johnson on appearing on Rich Man, Poor Man
Lassie
Russell Johnson briefly on difficulties working with animals when guesting on a Lassie episode
Lone Ranger, The
Russell Johnson on appearing on The Lone Ranger
Lou Grant
Russell Johnson on guest-starring on Lou Grant
NBC Matinee Theater
Russell Johnson on his early appearances on Matinee Theater
Newhart
Russell Johnson on appearing on Newhart
Outer Limits, The (1963-65)
Russell Johnson on appearing on The Outer Limits
Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law
Russell Johnson on his appearances as the district attorney on Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law
Police Story
Russell Johnson on guest-starring on Police Story
Rescue 8
Russell Johnson on appearing on Rescue 8
Roseanne
Russell Johnson on appearing as "The Professor" on shows other than Gilligan's Island
Santa Barbara
Russell Johnson on appearing on Santa Barbara
Twilight Zone, The
Russell Johnson on appearing on The Twilight Zone in the teleplay "The Execution"
Russell Johnson on appearing on The Twilight Zone in the teleplay "Back There"
You Are There
Russell Johnson on his work on You Are There
Topics
Advice
Russell Johnson on advice to aspiring actors
Anthology Drama
Russell Johnson on enjoying working in live television
Characters & Catchphrases
Russell Johnson on "The Professor" being asexual on Gilligan's Island
Creative Influences and Inspiration
Russell Johnson on his mentor, Paul Henreid
Russell Johnson on his mentor, Paul Henreid
Criticism of TV
Russell Johnson on the critics' reactions to Gilligan's Island
Hollywood Blacklist
Russell Johnson on being questioned about his politics because of his name
Pivotal Career Moments
Russell Johnson on his mentor, Paul Henreid
Pop Culture
Russell Johnson on "The Professor" being asexual on Gilligan's Island
Russell Johnson on the theme song to Gilligan's Island and being part of "the rest"
Television Industry
Russell Johnson on being questioned about his politics because of his name
Russell Johnson on the critics' reactions to Gilligan's Island
Russell Johnson on advice to aspiring actors
TV Theme Songs
Russell Johnson on the theme song to Gilligan's Island and being part of "the rest"
TV's Golden Age (1940s & '50s)
Russell Johnson on enjoying working in live television
Professions
Actor
Russell Johnson on studying at the Actors Lab
Russell Johnson on the challenges of working in live television
Russell Johnson on advice to aspiring actors
Russell Johnson on his acting style and how he prepares for roles
Performers
Russell Johnson on studying at the Actors Lab
Russell Johnson on the challenges of working in live television
Russell Johnson on advice to aspiring actors
Russell Johnson on his acting style and how he prepares for roles
Genres
Classic Anthology Series
Russell Johnson on enjoying working in live television
Comedy Series
On being cast on Gilligan's Island; on working with Sherwood Schwartz and playing "The Professor" on the series
Russell Johnson on co-starring on Gilligan's Island
TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials
Russell Johnson on the TV movies of Gilligan's Island
Western Series
Russell Johnson on appearing in early television Westerns as the "heavy"
People
Jim Backus
Russell Johnson on his fellow cast members on Gilligan's Island - Jim Backus
Roger Corman
Russell Johnson on his work in the film "Attack of the Crab Monsters" for Roger Corman
Bob Denver
Russell Johnson on his fellow cast members on Gilligan's Island - Bob Denver
Tom Hanks
Russell Johnson on guest-starring on Bosom Buddies
Paul Henreid
Russell Johnson on his mentor, Paul Henreid
Alan Hale, Jr.
Russell Johnson on his fellow cast members on Gilligan's Island - Alan Hale, Jr.
Albert McCleery
Russell Johnson on his early appearances on Matinee Theater
Natalie Schafer
Russell Johnson on his fellow cast members on Gilligan's Island - Natalie Schafer
Sherwood Schwartz
Russell Johnson on working with Sherwood Schwartz on Gilligan's Island
Rod Serling
Russell Johnson on meeting Rod Serling while appearing on The Twilight Zone
Tom Shales
Russell Johnson on the critics' reactions to Gilligan's Island
George Stevens
Russell Johnson on his work in the film "The Greatest Story Ever Told"
Ethel Winant
Russell Johnson on working with casting director Ethel Winant