topic Re: RIP The Professor in Community Chat

RIP The Professor

Topaz Gem — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 02:24:59 GMT

Russell Johnson, the Professor on Gilligan's Island, passed away today at the age of 89. He was such a handsome actor. RIP Mr. Johnson. You will be missed.

Re: RIP The Professor

tansy — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 02:30:50 GMT

Oh, I saw a blurb that one of the cast had died. Eighty-nine is a nice long lifespan.

Re: RIP The Professor

scotttie — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 02:35:42 GMT

89 Wow. I saw where Dave Madden of the Partridge family passed away also.

Re: RIP The Professor

cody2 — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 02:38:21 GMT

On 1/16/2014 tansy said: Oh, I saw a blurb that one of the cast had died. Eighty-nine is a nice long lifespan.

I used to think 60 was a nice long lifespan until I TURNED 60.

Re: RIP The Professor

Preds — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 02:40:33 GMT

RIP Professor and Rueben

Re: RIP The Professor

tansy — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 02:48:54 GMT

On 1/16/2014 cody said:
On 1/16/2014 tansy said: Oh, I saw a blurb that one of the cast had died. Eighty-nine is a nice long lifespan.

I used to think 60 was a nice long lifespan until I TURNED 60.

Isn't that the truth?

Re: RIP The Professor

NoelSeven — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 04:55:08 GMT

A HERO

After high school, in the midst of World War II, Johnson joined the United States Army Air Forces as an aviation cadet and was commissioned as a second lieutenant.

He flew 44 combat missions as a bombardier in B-24 Liberator bombers. While flying as a navigator in a B-24 with the 100th Bombardment Squadron, 42nd Bombardment Group, 13th Air Force, his plane and two other B-24s were shot down in the Philippines in March 1945 during a low level bombing and strafing run against Japanese targets. The planes were hit by intense flak and had to ditch in the waters off the port of Zamboanga. During the ditching, he broke both his ankles and the radioman next to him was killed.

Johnson earned a Purple Heart for this mission. He was also awarded the Air Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three service stars, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one service star, and the World War II Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged with the rank of first lieutenant on November 22, 1945. He then joined the Army Reserve and used the GI Bill to fund his acting studies at the Actors Lab in Hollywood.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_Johnson

Re: RIP The Professor

SydneyH — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 05:05:49 GMT

Thank you for entertaining us.......

Re: RIP The Professor

Melania — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 05:40:57 GMT

On 1/16/2014 SydneyH said:
Thank you for entertaining us.......

So nice, Sydney!!

Did anyone see he and some of the other cast on a Roseanne episode?

They all played Roseanne characters...he was Mark and was a hoot.

RIP

Re: RIP The Professor

SydneyH — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 05:48:30 GMT

Evening Mel, normally I post a more somber and serious picture but this one looks like something, remember you can only pick one, was a true picture of his life. I only watched a couple of episodes of Roseanne, I can imagine, it was funny as all get out..........

Re: RIP The Professor

Melania — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 05:52:15 GMT

Syd, it's nice to see his smile and him happy. What a great pic.!

Sometimes I need to get my Roseanne fix and that episode was priceless.

Gilligan payed Jackie.

Have a nice evening.

Re: RIP The Professor

reese2 — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 17:53:21 GMT

Noel, thank you so much for posting what you did. When my husband and I learned of his passing last night, his service to our country was also reported. I said to my husband that it's no wonder why they were referred to as the greatest generation. Their service and sacrifices were made quietly, as that was just what they did. They didn't seek admiration or gratitude, they were doing their jobs.

RIP, "Professor", and thank you for your service.

Re: RIP The Professor

Yuban3 — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 17:56:44 GMT

So who's left? Ginger? Mary-Anne?

Re: RIP The Professor

brii — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 17:57:26 GMT

I always found him to be very handsome.

He was 89 - wow.

Re: RIP The Professor

Topaz Gem — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 17:59:35 GMT

On 1/17/2014 Yuban3 said:
So who's left? Ginger? Mary-Anne?

It would appear so. Johnson was the last surviving male cast member of Gilligan's Island. Now that he's gone, it looks like Ginger and Mary-Ann are the only ones left.

Re: RIP The Professor

Mj12 — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 18:00:53 GMT

On 1/17/2014 reese ~ said:
Noel, thank you so much for posting what you did. When my husband and I learned of his passing last night, his service to our country was also reported. I said to my husband that it's no wonder why they were referred to as the greatest generation. Their service and sacrifices were made quietly, as that was just what they did. They didn't seek admiration or gratitude, they were doing their jobs.

RIP, "Professor", and thank you for your service.

I had no idea as well. And ITA with everything you said.

Re: RIP The Professor

Topaz Gem — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 18:04:03 GMT

On 1/17/2014 reese ~ said:
Noel, thank you so much for posting what you did. When my husband and I learned of his passing last night, his service to our country was also reported. I said to my husband that it's no wonder why they were referred to as the greatest generation. Their service and sacrifices were made quietly, as that was just what they did. They didn't seek admiration or gratitude, they were doing their jobs.

RIP, "Professor", and thank you for your service.

ITA. There was no whining and complaining from that generation and no sense of entitlement. I don't know if we'll ever see a generation like that again, but I hope so. Once they got back from the war, they put it behind them and got on with their lives. My father was one of them and he rarely talked about the war which is characteristic of that generation.

Re: RIP The Professor

Luv2Decorate — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 18:13:48 GMT

On 1/17/2014 Topaz Gem said:
On 1/17/2014 reese ~ said:
Noel, thank you so much for posting what you did. When my husband and I learned of his passing last night, his service to our country was also reported. I said to my husband that it's no wonder why they were referred to as the greatest generation. Their service and sacrifices were made quietly, as that was just what they did. They didn't seek admiration or gratitude, they were doing their jobs.

RIP, "Professor", and thank you for your service.

ITA. There was no whining and complaining from that generation and no sense of entitlement. I don't know if we'll ever see a generation like that again, but I hope so. Once they got back from the war, they put it behind them and got on with their lives. My father was one of them and he rarely talked about the war which is characteristic of that generation.

Agree. I often wonder if our country ever had to step up like they did back then, would we have the character to do it again...

Back to the Professor, I loved that show as a kid. Every time they'd try to leave the island, I was wondering if this was the time they'd make it.

Recently, I purchased the entire series on Amazon. I keep it on the boat, so when we don't have cable, we can always watch Gilligan

Re: RIP The Professor

glb613 — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 18:26:43 GMT

He could make a radio out of a coconut but couldn't fix the hole in the boat.

Re: RIP The Professor

Luv2Decorate — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 19:01:23 GMT

On 1/17/2014 glb613 said:
He could make a radio out of a coconut but couldn't fix the hole in the boat.

Ha!

When you think about it, they had that radio which ran on batteries for what 7-8 years? Ha!

And all of the clothes and evening gowns that Ginger had as well as the Howell's. Mr. Howell and his teddybear, ha! The boat was maybe 30ft long, not big enough to carry all of the large pots, clothes, and supplies that they had on the island. Too funny. But, heck it was entertaining. Ahh the good old days