They sure don’t.
“Gilligan’s Island” star Russell Johnson, aka The Professor, passed away early this morning. Many fans are paying tribute to him for his role on the beloved TV show, but there was so much more to him than that:
Watched every Gilligan's Island episode dozen times. Never knew Professor was a war hero. Typical Greatest Generation http://t.co/NoiUBRMSJD
— Gerry Callahan (@GerryCallahan) January 16, 2014
From The Wrap:
Born in rural northeastern Pennsylvania, Johnson graduated from a private boarding school for orphaned children before joining the Air Force, flying dozens of combat missions in World War II – including one that turned him into a real-life castaway in the Philippines in 1945. Johnson’s B-25 bomber was shot down by heavy flak; he broke both his ankles during the mission, and received the Purple Heart.
A true hero.
Russell Johnson (The Professor on Gilligan's Island)
flew 44 combat missions in WWII, until his B-25 was shot down.
(Via @GerryCallahan)— Ed Shahzade (@Ed) January 16, 2014
Russell Johnson, born 1924 @ Ashley PA. Girard College in Philly. Plane shot down in WWII. Purple Heart. TV icon. #RIPprofessor
— Bill Patton (@coolhandbill) January 16, 2014
https://twitter.com/seanagnew/status/423939056305598465
https://twitter.com/Tracysports27/status/423925375408680960
Sad to hear death of Russell Johnson, Purple Heart recipient, "Professor" on #GilligansIsland
— #CallForTrumpToResign (@erik_griswold) January 16, 2014
Actor and WWII hero Russell Johnson passed away today. Google him. Great man. RIP, Professor. pic.twitter.com/c3KG6AlL7X
— Scanning WWII (@ScanningWWII) January 16, 2014
Recommended
"Professor" Russell Johnson flew on B-24s in WWII, got a purple heart, and paid for acting school with the GI Bill. http://t.co/O2sao5oxgO
— Drew Cline (@DrewHampshire) January 16, 2014
https://twitter.com/iamsixtythree/status/423923422846930944
Russell Johnson was the only one with common sense on #gilligansisland, and he flew 44 #combat missions in #WWII #purpleheart #RIP
— Kim Brittain (@Billybeeswife) January 16, 2014
Really sad to see that Russell Johnson passed away. Besides being The Professor, Johnson was also a decorated WWII vet. Rest in peace.
— Ben B. (@madmantx) January 16, 2014
https://twitter.com/SalenaZitoTrib/status/423931683986214913
@SalenaZitoTrib Just tweeted that! Amazing, humble patriot. #GreatestGeneration
— Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) January 16, 2014
Goodbye and safe voyages to Russell Johnson, Gilligan's Island's Professor and badass WWII vet.
— rain (@rainbird23) January 16, 2014
Badass, indeed. RIP.
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Related:
‘My heart is broken’: Dawn Wells bids farewell ‘Gilligan’s Island’ costar Russell Johnson