The Professor from Gilligan's Island died. Most people don't really know the name of Russell Johnson's best known role. Called The Professor, the character name was Roy Hinkley. The Professor's real name was only mentioned once on "Gilligan's Island", in the pilot, on the radio that the Professor himself made work.  Russell Johnson was 89. 

Russell Johnson's wife Constance confirmed the press that the actor died Thursday morning of kidney failure, saying "He died at home, peaceful, in his sleep at 5:21 am today. (He was) a very brave guy who knew what he wanted, and he wanted to be at home." Russell Johnson leaves behind his wife and a daughter, Kim.  Johnson is also survived by a stepson, Court, and a grandson.

Russell Johnson's manager, Mike Eisenstadt, said Johnson's death was "unexpected." Johnson worked up until his death, signing autographs over the holidays. 

Gilligan Island ran for three years on CBS from September 26, 1964, to September 4, 1967.  Gilligan's Island starred Bob Denver as Gilligan, Alan Hale Jr as the Skipper, Jim Backus and Natalie Schafer as millionaire couple Thurston Howell III and Lovey, Tina Louise played Hollywood starlet Ginger Grant.  Dawn Wells played Maryann.

Dawn Wells posted to 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..."

Tina Louisesaid she was " very saddened to hear of the passing of Russell Johnson. My prayers and condolences go out to his wife Constance and his family. He will always be in our hearts and remembered from Gilligan's island as part of American pop culture history. He will truly be missed."

Three made-for-television movies were spun off the show, "Rescue From Gilligan's Island", "The Castaways on Gilligan's Island" and "The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island" . Bob Denver died in 2005. Alan Hale Jr. died in 1990. Jim Backus died in 1989.

In 1980, Johnson told Starlog magazine that he always wanted to be on "Star Trek."

Johnson was from northeastern Pennsylvania and served in World War II before he got into acting. Johnson's  Hollywood Career started in 1952. Johnson appeared with George Raft in "Loan Shark." Johnson was a friend of war hero turned actor Audie Murphy and appeared in three of his films. Johnson was in Ray Bradbury's 1953 sci-fi classic "It Came From Outer Space" as well as "This Island Earth," "Attack of the Crab Monsters" and "The Space Children.". He played Marshal Gib Scott in two seasons of "Black Saddle," a Western that ran in 1959 and 1960.

Johnson appeared in two episodes on The Twilight Zone. In "Back There," Johnson went back in time to try and stop the assassination of President Lincoln and in "Execution" he played a, well, a professor.  He also played on one episode of "Outer Limits." Johnson acted in dozens of television shows after "Gilligan's Island," 

Russell Johnson published a book of memoirs called  "Here on Gilligan's Isle."