Russell Johnson, the actor best known for playing the Professor on GILLIGAN'S ISLAND, died early this morning of kidney failure. He was 89."He died at home, peaceful, in his sleep at 5:21 am today," his wife, Constance, told ABC News. "[He was] a very brave guy who knew what he wanted, and he wanted to be at home."
Originally from northeastern Pennsylvania, Johnson served in World War II before pursuing an acting career. He acted in several television programs in the 1950s and '60s, including THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN, ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS and THE TWILIGHT ZONE. However, his most famous role came along in 1964: The Professor on GILLIGAN'S ISLAND.