June Lockhart, the beloved actress who became a household name as the mother in two of television's most iconic series, Lassie and Lost in Space, has died. She was 100 years old.
The actress passed away from natural causes on Thursday, October 23, at her home in Santa Monica, California. Her daughter, June Elizabeth, and her granddaughter, Christianna, were with her at the time of her death. Lockhart was one of the last surviving stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood, with a career that spanned nearly nine decades.
Key Takeaways
- June Lockhart passed away at the age of 100 from natural causes.
- She was best known for her maternal roles as Ruth Martin in Lassie and Maureen Robinson in Lost in Space.
- An accomplished stage actress, she won a Tony Award in 1947 for Outstanding Performance by a Newcomer.
- Her career began at age 8 and included over 150 film and television credits.
- Lockhart was also a space enthusiast, earning the Exceptional Public Achievement Medal from NASA in 2014.
An End of an Era in Hollywood
June Lockhart's passing marks a significant moment, closing a chapter on a prolific era of entertainment. Her family confirmed she died at 9:20 p.m. local time. Funeral services are set to be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to several organizations important to Lockhart: The Actors Fund, the investigative journalism non-profit ProPublica, and International Hearing Dog, Inc. This request reflects a life dedicated not just to her craft but to supporting her peers and community.
A Life Born into Show Business
Born in New York City in 1925, June Lockhart seemed destined for the stage and screen. Her parents, Gene and Kathleen Lockhart, were both established actors. She made her professional debut at just 8 years old in a Metropolitan Opera production of Peter Ibbetson.
Her film career began in 1938 with a role in the classic MGM adaptation of A Christmas Carol. In a unique family affair, she played the daughter of Bob Cratchit, who was portrayed by her real-life father, Gene. Her mother, Kathleen, played Mrs. Cratchit.
“I thought my parents were wonderful as the Cratchits, and it was just great fun to see how a film was made,” Lockhart recalled in a 2014 interview with the Ames Tribune. “I loved the Victorian costumes.”
She fondly remembered that her first words on film were, “I know, I know — sausages,” a line that became a long-running family joke. This early experience set the stage for roles in other notable films of the era, including Meet Me in St. Louis (1944), Sergeant York (1941), and She-Wolf of London (1946).
From Broadway Triumph to Television Icon
While her film career was taking off, Lockhart also made a significant impact on Broadway. In 1947, she won the Tony Award for Outstanding Performance by a Newcomer for her role in the play For Love or Money. Despite her success across different mediums, she always considered live theater the most demanding.
“I like it all, but I think the hardest to do is theater,” she told the Chicago Tribune in 1987. “Television is fun. But theater is night after night after night.”
Two Iconic TV Mothers
Lockhart's legacy is firmly cemented by her two most famous television roles. From 1958 to 1964, she played Ruth Martin, the compassionate mother to Timmy on Lassie. Just one year after leaving the show, she took on the role of Dr. Maureen Robinson, the brilliant matriarch of the Robinson family on the science-fiction series Lost in Space, which ran from 1965 to 1968.
Her role on Lassie, where she replaced Cloris Leachman, earned her an Emmy nomination in 1959. She developed a close bond with her on-screen son, Jon Provost. In a 1994 interview, Provost noted, ''My own mother might forget my birthday, but June never does.''
Following Lassie, she traveled to the cosmos as Maureen Robinson. The show, inspired by the novel The Swiss Family Robinson, captured the imagination of a generation. Lockhart often spoke about the impact of the series on its fans.
“I did Lassie for six years, and I never had anybody come up to me and say, 'It made me want to be a farmer,'” she joked to NPR in 2004, noting that people often told her that watching Lost in Space inspired them to become scientists.
Her connection to the series continued into her later years, with a voice cameo in the Netflix remake of Lost in Space in 2021.
A Versatile and Enduring Career
Lockhart’s work ethic was formidable, amassing over 150 film and television credits. After Lost in Space, she immediately joined the cast of Petticoat Junction for its final two seasons.
Her guest appearances read like a history of American television, with roles in:
- Gunsmoke
- Magnum, P.I.
- Murder, She Wrote
- Full House
- Roseanne
- General Hospital
- Grey's Anatomy
She once told an interviewer that her role on Roseanne as the mother of Martin Mull’s character was “the highlight of my career,” showcasing her comedic timing and versatility.
An Adventurous Spirit Beyond the Screen
Though she often played sensible mothers, Lockhart’s personal life was filled with adventure and diverse interests. “I love rock ‘n’ roll and going to concerts,” she told the Chicago Tribune in 1994. “I have driven army tanks and flown in hot-air balloons, and I go plane-gliding.”
A Passion for Space and Politics
Lockhart was a genuine space enthusiast. Her work on Lost in Space fueled a lifelong passion that led her to collaborate with NASA. In 2014, the agency awarded her the Exceptional Public Achievement Medal, an honor she cherished. “No other actress has received this honor,” she stated at the time.
She was also an avid follower of American politics, an interest sparked by a meeting with President Harry Truman in 1948. She later received a lifetime White House press pass and attended briefings for 47 years, demonstrating a keen intellect and curiosity about the world far beyond Hollywood.
June Lockhart is survived by her two daughters, Anne and June Elizabeth. She was married to John F. Maloney from 1951 until their divorce in 1959. Her legacy lives on through her extensive body of work and the generations of viewers she charmed and inspired.