Russell Johnson, who played the professor on hit TV series ‘Gilligan’s Island’, died yesterday (January 16, 2014) at the age of 89. Johnson died at his home in Washington due to natural causes. His wife told reporters that Johnson died of kidney failure, but passed away peacefully in his sleep at 5:21 AM this morning. Despite struggling with health issues, Johnson’s wife said he knew what he wanted and he wanted to be at home.

His co-star, Dawn Wells, who played Mary Ann on the iconic 60’s TV series expressed her grief on Facebook by posting – “My 2 favorite people are now gone. The Professor past away this morning. My heart is broken.” Attached was a photo of Wells, Johnson, and Gilligan, Bob Denver.

Johnson was survived by his third wife and his two children.

Image via Frank Micelotta/Getty Images

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