June Lockhart, the beloved actress known for her iconic roles in Lassie and Lost in Space, has died of natural causes at the age of 100.
The legendary actress passed away on Oct. 23 in Santa Monica, California, according to Variety. Lockhart first captured audiences’ hearts as Ruth Martin, Timmy’s foster mother, on the CBS series Lassie from 1958 to 1964, taking over the role from Cloris Leachman. She later starred as Dr. Maureen Robinson, the biochemist and devoted mother in CBS’s sci-fi series Lost in Space from 1965 to 1968.
While reflecting on her career in 2024, Lockhart told Closer magazine, “Lost in Space was my favorite project. It was so campy, and I truly enjoyed my relationship with my space family.”
Lockheart was born in New York City in 1925 to actors Gene and Kathleen Lockhart, and made her feature film debut at age 13 in the 1939 adaptation of A Christmas Carol. She went on to appear in films including All This, and Heaven Too, Meet Me in St. Louis, The Yearling, and Sergeant York.
Lockhart’s career spanned nearly eight decades, with appearances in dozens of television series and films well into her 80s. She had recurring roles on Petticoat Junction, General Hospital, and Beverly Hills 90210, along with guest spots on The Beverly Hillbillies, Happy Days, Full House, Roseanne, and Gray’s Anatomy. She also appeared in Westerns like Wagon Train, Cimarron City, Gunsmoke, and Rawhide.
Over her career, Lockhart earned two Emmy nominations, including Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Series for Lassie, and received two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one for motion pictures and one for television. She was also awarded a Special Tony Award for Outstanding Performance by a Newcomer for her Broadway debut in For Love or Money in 1948.
A private service has been planned in her honor. In lieu of flowers, her family encourages donations to The Actors Fund, ProPublica, and International Hearing Dog, Inc.