Legendary actress June Lockhart, whose warmth and grace made her a beloved fixture of American television in classics such as “Lassie” and “Lost in Space,” has died at the age of 100.
A family spokesperson confirmed that Lockhart passed away of natural causes at her Santa Monica home, surrounded by her daughter June Elizabeth and granddaughter Christianna.
Born June 25, 1925, in New York City, Lockhart was destined for the stage. The daughter of actors Gene and Kathleen Lockhart, she made her professional debut at age 8 at the Metropolitan Opera House, before transitioning to film. By 13, she appeared alongside her parents in MGM’s 1938 adaptation of “A Christmas Carol.”
Over the next decade, Lockhart built an impressive film résumé, starring in “All This and Heaven Too,” “Meet Me in St. Louis,” and “Sergeant York.” Her Broadway debut in “For Love or Money” in 1947 earned her a Tony Award for Best Newcomer, marking the start of a lifelong career that would span stage, film, and television.
Her defining roles came in the 1950s and 60s, when she portrayed Ruth Martin in the family series “Lassie” and Maureen Robinson, the nurturing yet fearless matriarch of “Lost in Space.” She later appeared in “Petticoat Junction” and numerous guest roles across television.
Beyond acting, Lockhart was an avid advocate for science and space exploration. She became a spokeswoman for NASA, often visiting space centers and inspiring astronauts who grew up watching “Lost in Space.”
“Mommy always considered acting as her craft, her vocation,” her daughter said in a statement. “But her true passions were journalism, politics, science, and NASA. She cherished playing her role in ‘Lost in Space’ and was touched that it inspired so many future astronauts. That meant even more to her than the hundreds of roles she played.”
June Lockhart’s remarkable career earned her two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame — one for motion pictures and another for television — and countless admirers who saw in her the spirit of compassion and curiosity she brought to every role