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Hollywood veteran Russell Johnson has passed away at the age of 89. Have a look at the facts surrounding the star’s death as well as the amazing career he had.
1. Johnson Died of Natural Causes
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According to TMZ, Russell Johnson passed away from natural causes in his Washington home. He passed away in hospice, surrounded by his wife and 2 kids. This was Johnson’s third marriage.
2. We All Know Johnson as “The Professor”
Russell Johnson (1924-2014) The Professor on "Gilligan's Island" sails off into the sunset http://t.co/nbzWjllnsN pic.twitter.com/9KGzO6N0yX
— Will McKinley (@willmckinley) January 16, 2014
Russell Johnson played Professor Roy Hinkley on the legendary show Gilligan’s Island.
3. Former Co-Star Dawn Wells Left a Heartbreaking Post on Facebook
Russell Johnson's death surfaced on Facebook from a Gilligan's Island co-star. He was 89 http://t.co/QqKndGuJ1c pic.twitter.com/AB18Jkgk0l
— Brian A. Hernandez (@BAHjournalist) January 16, 2014
Dawn Wells played the character of adorable Mary Ann on Gilligan’s Island and clearly thinks fondly of her former co-star. Today she posted the following message on Facebook:
My 2 favorite people are now gone. The professor past (sic) away this morning. My heart is broken … Russell was a true gentleman, a good father, a great friend, and ‘the rest.
The other person Wells is talking about was reported by TMZ to be Bob Denver, who played Gilligan. He passed away in 2005.
4. It Was Bob Denver Who Wanted Johnson to be on Gilligan’s Island
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TMZ writes:
Johnson was on the show from 1964 to 1967. Johnson was not in the original opening of the show. He and Mary Ann were referred to as “The rest.” But Denver insisted that they be included and that happened later.
So, when Wells wrote “the rest” in her Facebook post about Johnson’s passing, that’s what she meant.
5. Bob Denver’s Wife Dreama Reported the Sad News of Johnson’s Death
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A man by the name of Bob Barnett put up a Facebook post about how he learned of Johnson’s death saying:
Horrible news my friends. Bob Denver’s wife Dreama has just reported that Russell Johnson passed away this morning. RIP Russell and thanks for everything. You will be missed.