June Lockhart, the beloved actress known for her warm, motherly roles on television, passed away at the age of 100. She died of natural causes on Thursday at her home in Santa Monica, California. Her death was confirmed by her spokesman, Harlan Boll.
Lockhart married Dr John F Maloney in 1951, with whom she had two daughters before the couple divorced in 1959. She was briefly married to architect John Lindsay. She is survived by her daughter June Elizabeth and granddaughter Christianna.
June Lockhart’s Career
Lockhart leaves behind a rich legacy in television and film. She first captured the hearts of audiences as Ruth Martin on Lassie, the devoted farm wife and foster mother to Jon Provost’s character. Later, she became a household name in Lost in Space, playing the brave mother and interplanetary explorer alongside Bill Mumy and the show’s iconic robot. The series has remained a cult favorite for generations, known for its adventurous spirit despite its low-budget production.
Born June Kathleen Lockhart on June 25, 1925, in Manhattan, she was the only child of actors Gene and Kathleen Lockhart. She began her career on stage at the age of eight in a Metropolitan Opera production and made her film debut at 13 in the 1938 version of A Christmas Carol.
Her early talent earned her a Broadway debut at 22 in For Love or Money, for which she received a Tony Award for Best Newcomer and the Theater World Award. Lockhart also appeared in classic films such as Meet Me in St. Louis (1945), Sergeant York (1941), and All This, and Heaven Too (1940), as per New York Times report.
After her television breakthrough, Lockhart continued to act in popular shows like Petticoat Junction and General Hospital, beginning in 1984. She also appeared in films including Strange Invaders (1983) and Sleep With Me (1994). Even in her later years, she remained active in the industry with voice work for Bongee Bear and the Kingdom of Rhythm (2019) and a role in the 2021 Netflix reboot of Lost in Space.
June Lockhart’s career, spanning nearly nine decades, left an indelible mark on stage, film, and television. Her kind presence and memorable roles as a nurturing figure on screen continue to inspire audiences around the world.
