The original PROFESSOR from the GILLIGAN'S ISLAND pilot speaks! 

Jinkies! This is the first I've heard that a different actor played the Professor in the pilot! Amazing! THANKS for sharing!

That's amazing that this is the first I heard about this. Watched GI as kid in the 70s everyday after school. And I've watched enough GI trivia on RU-vid but never heard of this. Thanks!

Rest In Peace sir. Yes he did have a good long term and versatile career indeed and he even had a daughter who became an actress. I do wish you would post the date of these interviews, many of your subscribers have wanted this fyi

John Gabriel went on to a long running role on “Ryan’s Hope.” He also seemed to be an intelligent man.

I heard a lot of rumors and stories over the years about whom the producer originally wanted for the roles. I heard Jerry Van Dyke and Soupy Sales were up for Gilligan, Carroll O'Connor for the Skipper, Jayne Mansfield for Ginger, Raquel Welch for MaryAnn and Dabney Coleman was up for the part of professor.

So true about being type casted..

Yeah Jim Backus had some movie costarring roles before then, voiced Mr Magoo among other things, and Gilligans Island is pretty much how he's remembered. Crazy how you get pigeon holed into one roll that back then didn't even last very long and didn't pay much. At least with the cast of Friends they're all millionaires several times over by the time it ended.

I never thought of wearing the same clothes every week (less Ginger & The Howells) cementing them in the roles even further.

John died in 2021 at age 90 ... so he would have been about 78 when this clip was made.

I think the actors were paid residuals, but only for the 1st 6 reruns. Russell Johnson did occasionally get good roles after GI on shows like MANNIX & IRONSIDE, and the actors did make better $ I'm sure from the reunion movies.

Tell that man if it's any consolation, I liked him better as MTMs boyfriend!

What year was this interview because he looks good for his age?

No he isnt john Gabriel or Russell Johnson

Hold on, did you see those white pants? The professor I know, John gabriel I do not

I've always liked Russell Johnson, but John Gabriel would have made a great Professor.

Being identified for one role isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

I was never a big fan of the show and grew tired of the show guickly.