'Gilligan’s Island’ Professor Russell Johnson Dies at 89

Russell Johnson, the actor best known for playing Professor Roy Hinkley in "Gilligan's Island" died on Thursday morning at the age of 89. Reports of the actor's death broke out after TMZ learned of the sad news from actress Dawn Wells' Facebook account.

Wells, who played Mary Ann on the show, posted the news to her Facebook page, writing: "My 2 favorite people are now gone. The professor passed away this morning. My heart is broken." The other person Wells was referring to in her post was Bob Denver, the actor who played the show's titular character. Denver died in 2005.

The Daily Mail reports Johnson died peacefully due to kidney failure at his Washington state home.

Johnson's wife, Constance Dane, told ABC News, "He died at home, peacefully, 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."

The actor appeared in all episodes of the comedy series which ran from 1964 to 1967.

Professor Hinkley, Johnson's character, was best known for coming up with ideas and inventions that could get the gang off of the island. But despite his best efforts, none of his plans successfully worked.

Prior to becoming an actor, Johnson served in World War II as part of the Army Air Corps, according to Fox News. He was a member of the crew of a B-24 bomber aircraft and was primarily responsible for aiming the bombs from the plane.

He was discharged in 1945 when he got injured after their plane was shot down while flying over the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. He was awarded with various medals along with a Purple Heart for his service.

Johnson had a difficult time escaping the shadow of his role as the professor on "Gilligan's Island." He was typecast for the majority of his career following the show, and had a hard time landing other roles. However, he never regretted doing the show. 

In a 2004 interview, when he was asked to look back on the show's appeal, he answered, "Parents are happy to have their children watch it. No one gets hurt. No murders. No car crashes. Just good, plain, silly fun - that's the charm."