As of 2025, Russell Johnson is thought to be worth about $4 million. His wealth came from being an actor and serving in the war. It was in Ashley, Pennsylvania, that Johnson was born. He has six brothers. He went to Girard College in Philadelphia, which is a private boarding school. In addition to working in show business, he lived on Bainbridge Island, Washington. Even though he is dead, his wife Constance and their son Courtney are still living there. Johnson’s net worth shows that she has had a steady career as an actress and public servant, even though she is not one of the richest celebrities.
He was married to Constance Dane and had two kids with her. Johnson also had a daughter named Kim Johnson from a previous relationship. He went to Bainbridge Island, Washington, with his wife in 1988, and the family lived there.
Social Profiles
Quick Bio
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Russell David Johnson |
| Born | November 10, 1924, Ashley, Pennsylvania |
| Died | January 16, 2014, Bainbridge Island, Washington |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Known For | Professor Roy Hinkley on Gilligan’s Island |
| Military Service | US Army Air Forces, WWII; Purple Heart recipient |
| Early Life | Eldest of seven siblings, attended Girard College (boarding school) |
| Family | Married to Constance Dane, two children, one daughter from earlier marriage |
| Height | 5′ 10″ (1.78 m) |
| Notable Works | Gilligan’s Island, The Twilight Zone, It Came from Outer Space |
| Cause of Death | Kidney failure |
Russell Johnson Net Worth in 2025
The amount of money Russell Johnson has is thought to be around $4 million as of 2025. He mostly got rich through his long work as an actor, especially his famous part as Professor Roy Hinkley on the TV show “Gilligan’s Island,” which still makes money through syndication and reruns. Johnson was an actor, but he was also in the military during World War II and earned several medals for his service. He also had good businesses and planned his money well, which helped him make money. When he died in 2014, his net worth showed how much he had made from acting and from the famous show.
| Year | Estimated Net Worth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | $3 million – $5 million | Estimated net worth at the time of his death. |
| 2020 | Around $1 million | Estimated in some sources for 2020. |
| 2024 | Around $3 million | Reflecting ongoing income from royalties and legacy. |
| 2025 | Around $4 million | Estimated in some updated reports for 2025. |
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Business Ventures and Income Sources
- Acting Career: He has been acting in movies, TV shows, and plays for a long time. His most famous part was as Professor Roy Hinkley on Gilligan’s Island, which ran from 1964 to 1967.
- Royalties and syndication: Gilligan’s Island only had three seasons in its original run, but the show has stayed famous over the years and has brought in royalty payments every year.
- Deals with license: Johnson made passive income from deals with Gilligan’s Island merchandise license.
- He wrote a biography called: Here on Gilligan’s Isle, which helped him make money and gave fans more information about his life and work.
- Investments and Careful Planning of Money: He carefully planned his funds and made smart investments, which helped him keep and grow his wealth beyond acting fees.
Real State Ownership and Properties
He bought a house on Bainbridge Island, Washington, and lived there for many years until he died in 2014. This house was his main property, and it was where he spent most of his later years living a quiet life with his family. Nobody outside of his family or close friends knows about any other properties or real estate interests that are in his name. His only real estate ownership seems to be this private home, which shows that he wants to live a private, low-key life outside of the entertainment business.
Personal Life
Early Life and Siblings
Richards His birthday is November 10, 1924, and he was born in Ashley, Pennsylvania. He was the top child out of seven. He had six siblings: David Reed Johnson, Lois Marion Johnson, Lorraine Johnson Crosby, Marion Joan Johnson Reeves, and Paul Wesley Johnson. His father died when he was young, and his brother Paul died not long after. In the end, his mother married Thomas S. Lewis again. Russell went to Girard College, a private boarding school in Philadelphia for boys without fathers, when he was a boy.
Military Service
When World War II broke out, Johnson joined the US Army Air Forces and did 44 combat missions as a bombardier. He was seriously hurt when his plane was shot down near the Philippines. For his service, he received the Purple Heart and other medals.
Marriage and Children
He was married to Constance Dane, his second wife, and she was with him when he died in 2014. Two kids: a son named David (who died in 1996) and a daughter named Kim. He had a cousin named Courtney too.
Later Years and Death
Johnson lived in Washington on Bainbridge Island. He died quietly on January 16, 2014, from kidney failure, with his wife and children by his side.
Family Legacy
Russell’s extended family includes his children, his sister Lorraine Crosby, who still lives, and his grandson Max Dane.
Career Journey
Early Career and First Acting Role (1950s)
- He went to the Actors’ Laboratory in Los Angeles to learn acting on the G.I. Bill after World War II.
- From the early 1950s on, he had small parts in movies like “For Men Only” (1952), “It Came from Outer Space” (1953), and “This Island Earth” (1955).
- Shown up in a number of story TV shows, including Fireside Theatre and The Adventures of Superman.
- Often plays bad guys in Western dramas, with guest parts in Rawhide, Wagon Train, Black Saddle, and The Twilight Zone.
Important Role and Gilligan’s Island (1964–1967)
- He was cast as Professor Roy Hinkley on Gilligan’s Island, which was the part that made his career.
- There were 98 episodes of the show from 1964 to 1967.
- Played the smart and resourceful Professor, who was loved for making tools and trying to save the castaways.
After Gilligan’s Island (late 1960s–1990s): Work on TV shows
- Keeping appearing as a guest star on a lot of popular TV shows, like Gunsmoke, The Big Valley, The FBI, Marcus Welby, M.D., Cannon, Dallas, Dynasty, Lou Grant, The Jeffersons, Roseanne, and more.
- Sometimes showed up in movies and TV shows that were connected to or based off of Gilligan’s Island, like Rescue from Gilligan’s Island (1978).
Years Later and the Legacy
- Even though it wasn’t as popular as it used to be, kept a strong fan base thanks to the show’s continued airings.
- At the age of 89, she died in 2014 on Bainbridge Island, Washington.
Physical Measurements
- Height: 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 meters)
- Weight: Approximately 71 kilograms (156.5 pounds)
- Hair Color: Gray
- Eye Color: Dark Brown
- Shoe Size (US): 9
Struggles with Mental Health, Addiction & Homelessness
- Johnson was said to be somewhat private and shy about his fame. He said in interviews that he wasn’t mentally ready for the attention and avoided publicity and public appearances.
- He had a hard life. As a child, he spent some time in a home after his father died, and later, in 1994, he lost his son David to AIDS.
- There is no solid proof or reports that he had problems with addiction, continuous mental health issues, or being homeless.
- After he stopped acting, Johnson lived a quiet life on Bainbridge Island, Washington, with his family. He spent his time on personal issues and charitable causes, like raising awareness about AIDS after his son died.
Public Perception & Media Coverage
Positive Public Image
- Russell Johnson was liked by many for his part as Professor Roy Hinkley on Gilligan’s Island. He was seen as the show’s voice of reason and calm.
- He was called “the world’s most lovable dork,” which helped to ground the more crazy characters and keep the audience in touch with reality.
- His character’s intelligence was praised by fans, and it inspired some to become scientists themselves.
- Even though the show was silly, Johnson enjoyed the silly and funny parts of his role.
Critical Reception
- An awful lot of people thought Gilligan’s Island was stupid or poorly made, but people loved the show and Johnson’s character.
- Johnson said that he knew reviewers didn’t like the show, but he was glad that people liked it.
Struggles with Fame
- Johnson was shy and didn’t do well with fame or notice from the public. He avoided publicity and public appearances a lot.
- He allegedly had a hard time getting used to the fame that Gilligan’s Island brought him, even though he had been acting for a long time before that.
Legacy and Remembrance
- At the time of his death in 2014, Johnson was praised by the media as a kind, smart, family-oriented man who made a lasting impact on television history.
- People remembered him for his steady job, his time in the military, and the good things that came from his famous TV part.
Quotes from Johnson
- “I’m the guy in the show who brings the characters back to sanity.”
- “Those who didn’t like us were wrong, and everyone else loved us.”
- He was proud that people who watched The Professor had become real scientists.
FAQs
Who was the richest on Gilligan’s Island?
Tina Louise, who played Ginger Grant, had the highest estimated net worth of all the cast members, at $6 million. Other co-stars, like Russell Johnson and Bob Denver, had smaller but still respectable net worths.
What did Russell Johnson pass away from?
Russell Johnson passed away on January 16, 2014, from bad kidneys.
What was Russell Johnson’s military career?
During World War II, he flew bombers for the US Army Air Forces. When his plane was shot down over the Philippines in 1945, he was given the Purple Heart.
Did Dawn Wells and Russell Johnson date?
No public proof or evidence appears of a romantic relationship between Johnson and Dawn Wells; they stayed close friends.
What were Russell Johnson’s most famous roles?
Professor Roy Hinkley on Gilligan’s Island was his most well-known part. In movies and TV shows, he was in This Island Earth, It Came from Outer Space, and The Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits.
Who was Russell Johnson’s wife?
The last wife Russell Johnson had was Constance Dane. He was married three times.
Did Russell Johnson have children?
He did have children, including a son who died before him.
Conclusion
Russell Johnson’s lasting fame as the popular Professor on Gilligan’s Island shows how talented he was and how much the show affected culture. His net worth, which comes from acting and the love and respect of his fans, shows that he has spent his whole life entertaining and helping others. Even though he died many years ago, Johnson is still a well-known and loved figure in TV history and pop culture.
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