Russell Johnson

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.

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

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

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

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

Russell Johnson on his mentor, Paul Henreid

01:48

Russell Johnson on his mentor, Paul Henreid

01:48

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

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

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

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

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