Profile Text
Birth Name: Russell David Johnson
Date of Birth: November 10, 1924
Place of Birth: Ashley, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Date of Death: January 16, 2014
Place of Death: Bainbridge Island, Washington, U.S.
Ethnicity: German, as well as English and Scots-Irish/Northern Irish
Russell Johnson was an American actor. He was known for playing Marshal Gib Scott on the show Black Saddle and Professor Roy Hinkley on the sitcom Gilligan’s Island ; and for his roles in the films Law and Order (1953), Column South , It Came from Outer Space , Ride Clear of Diablo , This Island Earth , Attack of the Crab Monsters , Rock All Night , The Saga of Hemp Brown , The Man from Independence , and MacArthur (1977), and on the shows Gunsmoke , The Twilight Zone , and Death Valley Days .
Russell was the son of Marion Wenonah and Russell Kennedy Johnson. He was married to actress and screenwriter Kay Cousins Johnson, until her death; and then to Constance Dane, until his death. He had two children with Kay.
Russell’s paternal grandfather was James Johnson (the son of David Johnson and Ellen Williamson). James was born in Ashley, Pennsylvania, to parents from Northern Ireland. David was born in Derry, the son of William Johnson and Elizabeth Martha Jameson. Ellen was born in County Antrim, the daughter of John Williamson and Martha Mullen.
Russell’s paternal grandmother was Mary Ellen Reed (the daughter of Edward A. Reid/Reed and Ellen Jane Kent/Kind). Mary Ellen was born in St. Clair, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania. Edward was born in Minersville, Schuylkill. Ellen was born in Pensylvania, the daughter of William Kind and Sarah.
Russell’s maternal grandfather was J. Tobias David Smink (the son of Henry Smink and Anna Catherine Kaufman). J. Tobias was born in Pennsylvania, to parents who were also born in the state. Henry was born in Hollenback Township, Luzerne, the son of German parents, John Smink and Anna M. Schneider. Russell’s great-grandmother Anna was born in Tann, Hersfeld, Hesse, Germany, the daughter of Johann Heinrich Kauffmann and Anna Maria Dute.
Russell’s maternal grandmother was Bessie J. Schnell (the daughter of Reuben Schnell and Louisa Dengler). Bessie was born in Weatherly, Carbon, Pennsylvania. Reuben was born in Weissport, Carbon, the son of John Schnell/Snell, whose mother was evidently from Manchester, Lancashire, England; and of Lydia Whitman. Louisa was born in Pennsylvania, the daughter of Isaac Dengler and Elizabeth Miller Frantz.
Source: Genealogy of Russell Johnson – https://www.familysearch.org