- June Lockhart passeed away on October 23 at the age of 100.
- Her daughter and granddaughter were by her side when she passed away of natural causes.
- Lockhart, one of the last stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood, was known for playing motherly roles in ‘Lassie’ and ‘Lost in Space.’
On Thursday, October 23, June Lockhart passed away. She was 100 years old when she died, and her passing has been attributed to natural causes. According to People, Lockhart was surrounded by loved ones when she died, specifically her daughter June Elizabeth and her granddaughter Christianna. NBC News reports that Lockhart passed at her home in Santa Monica, California.
June Lockhart became a household name through her defining television roles, most notably as Ruth Martin on the long-running CBS series Lassie (1958-64) and as Maureen Robinson in the cult classic sci-fi series Lost in Space (1965-68). Over a career spanning more than eight decades, she also appeared in films like A Christmas Carol (1938) and Meet Me in St. Louis (1944), and earned Broadway acclaim early on. Her consistent presence across generations of viewers made her one of the most recognizable and enduring faces of American entertainment.
The rise of a radiant star
June Lockhart was born on June 25, 1925, in New York City to actors Gene and Kathleen Lockhart, and spent part of her childhood studying ballet and performing in stage productions. She made her professional debut at the age of eight with the Metropolitan Opera production Peter Ibbetson. Her film debut followed in 1938’s A Christmas Carol, where she appeared alongside her parents.
Lockhart continued working in film throughout the 1940s in titles such as Meet Me in St. Louis and She-Wolf of London, and in 1947 made her Broadway debut in For Love or Money, earning a Special Tony Award in 1948 for her performance. She transitioned to television in the 1950s and landed the role of Ruth Martin on Lassie in 1958, later starring as Maureen Robinson on Lost in Space from 1965 to 1968—roles that established her as a familiar television figure for multiple generations.
The out-of-this-world work of June Lockhart
June Lockhart’s career after her early television successes evolved into a steady stream of film, guest appearances, and voice work across several decades. After her time on Lost in Space, she appeared in the sitcom Petticoat Junction and guest-starred on shows including General Hospital, Knots Landing, Grey’s Anatomy, and Full House. She also voiced a part in the 2010s revival of Lost in Space, demonstrating her willingness to adapt and stay engaged with newer forms of entertainment.
In addition to her acting work, Lockhart developed a long-standing relationship with NASA, participating in agency events and public outreach around space exploration. In 2013 she was awarded NASA’s Exceptional Public Achievement Medal for her decades of support and advocacy. Her involvement included attending shuttle launches, opening space-themed exhibits, and speaking in favor of STEM education, especially for young women.
During her later years, Lockhart scaled back her acting but remained an active figure in media and the arts. She made occasional appearances at conventions and wrote about her experiences in the industry, while also supporting animal welfare and community causes. Even as she reached 100 years of age, she maintained public engagements until shortly before her death, leaving behind a body of work that spans from Hollywood’s studio era through modern television, and literally among the stars.