It can be difficult to picture anyone else besides Russell Johnson in the role of The Professor. With his calming voice and level head, Johnson was the perfect actor for the job, even if he didn't know it when he auditioned for the role.

During Gilligan's Island's beginnings, when the series was still in development, Johnson was predominantly a film actor, having appeared in movies like Law and Order and It Came From Outer Space.

Despite his extensive filmography, Johnson explained that he was originally considered for the role of The Professor due to a network connection.

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"I got the part from a connection with CBS," said Johnson during an interview with the Press and Sun-Bulletin. "I had narrated 13 of the Great Adventure shows. I co-starred in The Westerners, playing the role of a United States marshal. Previously, I had appeared in 14 motion pictures for Universal during the 1950s."

CBS was aware of Johnson's impressive reputation and was quite eager for him to join the cast of their new series. However, Johnson was a bit more reluctant to accept the role. "They called and asked if I wanted to run a test for the part of the Professor, and I said no," said Johnson. According to the actor, the network had tested more than 30 actors for the part, but none had performed to their satisfaction.

Johnson eventually accepted the role, thank goodness. However, it took some heavy convincing on the part of CBS in order to wear the actor down.

"They called me three times and I finally said yes," said Johnson.