Russell David Johnson ( November 10 , 1924 -- January 16 , 2014 ) was an American television and film actor , best known for his role as `` The Professor '' on the CBS television sitcom `` Gilligan 's Island '' .
Russell David Johnson ( November 10 , 1924 -- January 16 , 2014 ) was an American television and movie actor . He was best known as `` The Professor '' on the CBS television sitcom `` Gilligan 's Island '' .