Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

June Lockhart, ‘Lost In Space’ and ‘Lassie’ Star, Dies at 100
Variety ^ | 10/25/25 | Leia Mendoza

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.


TOPICS: TV/Movies
KEYWORDS: 100; hollywood; lockhart; obituary
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-56 next last
To: Borges

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.


21 posted on 10/25/2025 12:37:10 PM PDT by Dr. Sivana ("Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye." (John 2:5))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Borges

She had a good run. She was my tv mom growing up. RIP.


22 posted on 10/25/2025 12:39:56 PM PDT by Ben Dover (Terrorism is a cancer that can only be cured with massive doses of radiation.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Borges
She then starred as Dr. Maureen Robinson on the CBS series “Lost in Space” from 1965 to 1968. She played a brilliant biochemist...

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.

23 posted on 10/25/2025 12:42:04 PM PDT by fidelis (Ecce Crucem Domini! Fugite partes adversae! Vicit Leo de tribu Juda, Radix David! Alleluia!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Poser

Jeff was better...


24 posted on 10/25/2025 12:42:51 PM PDT by GOPJ (Sicko 'doctors' that sexually mutilate children are worse than Epstein <P><I><B><big><center></B>)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Ben Dover

One of the last of The Greatest Generation.


25 posted on 10/25/2025 12:45:11 PM PDT by MCF (If my home can't be my Castle, then it will be my Alamo)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: Borges

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.


26 posted on 10/25/2025 12:47:26 PM PDT by AnotherUnixGeek
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Borges

Rest In Peace, June.


27 posted on 10/25/2025 12:53:35 PM PDT by No name given ( Anonymous is who you’ll know me as )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: fidelis

The Robot: “Bloop is trapped in a well. Danger! Danger!”
That chimp cracked me up.


28 posted on 10/25/2025 12:53:47 PM PDT by tumblindice (America's founding fathers: all armed conservatives)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: tumblindice
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.

29 posted on 10/25/2025 12:59:20 PM PDT by fidelis (Ecce Crucem Domini! Fugite partes adversae! Vicit Leo de tribu Juda, Radix David! Alleluia!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: Borges

Billy Mumy called his “Lost in Space” co-star June Lockhart a “rock ‘n’ roll goddess”. June was a big rock music fan.


30 posted on 10/25/2025 1:02:54 PM PDT by DFG
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Borges

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.


31 posted on 10/25/2025 1:06:38 PM PDT by PrairieLady2 (USA: Land of the free, Because of the Brave.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: fidelis
>>worried with a concern look on her face

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.

32 posted on 10/25/2025 1:08:27 PM PDT by Deaf Smith (When a Texan takes his chances, chances will be taken that's for sure.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: Deaf Smith

City writers penning country plays. It worked for Green Acres, but not so much for Lassie.


33 posted on 10/25/2025 1:12:28 PM PDT by Poser (Cogito ergo Spam - I think, therefore I ham)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: sten

A sad day. My childhood just passed before me. She will be missed. TV supermom!


34 posted on 10/25/2025 1:29:49 PM PDT by Whatever Works
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: ducttape45

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


35 posted on 10/25/2025 1:43:44 PM PDT by Sarah Barracuda
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: Governor Dinwiddie

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.


36 posted on 10/25/2025 1:56:48 PM PDT by Empire_of_Liberty
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: DFG
Yep, that was a cool interview...the Mark Goddard stuff was funny too...seemed like the cast had fun on the set, with perhaps the exception being Guy Williams...guess he thought the show/character was beneath him.

After the giant talking vegetables...I think they all did.

RIP Mrs. Robinson.

37 posted on 10/25/2025 1:59:13 PM PDT by RckyRaCoCo (there are demons out there, and they look like people)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: Borges
Yesterday, I stumbled upon this video:

The Lost In Space Chariot 1965 - Replica

38 posted on 10/25/2025 2:34:17 PM PDT by yesthatjallen
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: All

She played a doctor in a B5 episode!


39 posted on 10/25/2025 2:36:54 PM PDT by Reily
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: V_TWIN

Mine too. I remember watching it and I was very young, maybe 5 years old, but I remember it. :)


40 posted on 10/25/2025 2:46:14 PM PDT by dandiegirl (BOBBY m)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-56 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson