Posted on 10/25/2025 12:05:23 PM PDT by Borges
June Lockhart, a popular actress of the 1950s and ’60s known for her roles in “Lost In Space,” “Lassie” and “Meet Me in St. Louis,” died of natural causes on Oct. 23 in Santa Monica, Calif. She was 100.
Lockhart became known for her performances as Timmy’s foster mother, Ruth Martin, on the CBS series “Lassie” from 1958 to 1964. She took over from Cloris Leachman as the Martin family moved on to the famous collie’s farm and became foster parents to both the orphaned Timmy and Lassie.
She then starred as Dr. Maureen Robinson on the CBS series “Lost in Space” from 1965 to 1968. She played a brilliant biochemist and loving mother of three who is marooned in space along with her family.
“When I wasn’t shooting Lassie, I became the mistress of Scrabble with my hairdresser and the crew,” she told Closer magazine in 2024. She also noted that “Lost in Space” was her favorite project. “It was so campy,” she said, “And I truly enjoyed my relationship with my space family.”
Over nearly eight decades on screen, Lockhart went on to appear in dozens of series and movies well into her 80s, with recurring roles on “Petticoat Junction,” “General Hospital” “Beverly Hills 90210,” and guest appearances on shows from “The Beverly Hillbillies” to “Happy Days” to “Full House, “Roseanne” and “Gray’s Anatomy.”
The daughter of actor Gene Lockhart and actress Kathleen Lockhart, she was born in New York City in 1925. She made her feature film debut at 13 years old, starring alongside both of her parents in Edwin L. Marin’s 1939 “A Christmas Carol,” where she played Belinda Cratchit. After her breakout role, she appeared in films such as “All This, and Heaven Too,” “Meet Me in St. Louis,” “The Yearling,” and “Sergeant York.”
Prior to the TV series, Lockhart appeared in the feature “Son of Lassie” as Priscilla, the Duke of Rudling’s granddaughter. In the 1950s, Lockhart guest-starred in several Western series such as “Wagon Train,” “Cimarron City,” “Gunsmoke,” “Have Gun – Will Travel,” and “Rawhide.”
She was nominated for two Emmys, including Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Series for her performance in “Lassie.” She also received two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one for motion pictures and one for television. Lockhart was previously the recipient of a Special Tony Award for Outstanding Performance by a Newcomer for her role on Broadway in “For Love or Money” in 1948.
A private service has been planned in her honor. Instead of sending flowers, Lockhart’s family suggests donating to The Actors Fund, ProPublica and International Hearing Dog, Inc.
If she had just allowed Don to kill Dr Smith, there would have been less trouble. june had an iimpossible job replacing Kate on Petticoat Junction.
She had a good run. She was my tv mom growing up. RIP.
You wouldn't know this from her performance on "Lost in Space." Mostly her character was always worried with a concerned look on her face:
"Oh, John! What about the children?"

In any case, 100 is a good run. May she rest in peace.
Jeff was better...
One of the last of The Greatest Generation.
I used to watch Lost In Space in reruns as a kid - mostly for the robot and Dr. Smith, not for June Lockhart, but she was definitely a part of my childhood in that series. She lived a long life - I hope it was a great and happy life too. RIP.
Rest In Peace, June.
The Robot: “Bloop is trapped in a well. Danger! Danger!”
That chimp cracked me up.
The chimp's name was Debbie. At the time this show was running I had a cousin named Debbie and we gave her no end of grief about it.
Billy Mumy called his “Lost in Space” co-star June Lockhart a “rock ‘n’ roll goddess”. June was a big rock music fan.
I enjoyed Ms. Lockhart as an actress. 100 seems mike a long time, but it’s not. I hope her elderly years were healthy,happy ones.
RIP, and condolences for her loved ones.
The show Lassie was supposedly set on a farm and it seemed that she was frequently on the phone with the sheriff: “Sherrif, I heard a gunshot.”
Meanwhile up the road, the Clampetts are shooting pistols in their backyard off the cement pond in the middle of Beverly Hills.
City writers penning country plays. It worked for Green Acres, but not so much for Lassie.
A sad day. My childhood just passed before me. She will be missed. TV supermom!
I remember the episode of Full House where she played Michelle’s preschool teacher, she wanted to get her and her dad together so she could have a new mommy..RIP June, you were one amazing actress
I think that it was on the extras for the DVD of Sergeant York, that they had the actress, Margaret Wycherly, who played York’s mother, asked the young June Lockhart if she had “any interest in the Theatre”. I got a laugh out of this, as if “moving pictures” were just a fad.
After the giant talking vegetables...I think they all did.
RIP Mrs. Robinson.
She played a doctor in a B5 episode!
Mine too. I remember watching it and I was very young, maybe 5 years old, but I remember it. :)
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