June Lockhart, one of the great TV moms in the 1950s and ’60s (“Lost In Space,” “Lassie”), died of natural causes on October 23 in Santa Monica. She was 100.
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. https://t.co/gwkQkszWjh pic.twitter.com/MXqAUvG17Y
— Variety (@Variety) October 25, 2025
From Variety:
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.”
She was also a longtime LGBTQ ally. Click below to watch Lockhart call out talk show host Virginia Graham (in 1970!) for homophobic remarks.
After making her feature film debut in “A Christmas Carol” in 1938 at the age of 13, she went on to more appearances on the silver screen including, “Meet Me in St. Louis,” “Sargeant York,” “The Yearling,” and “All This and Heaven Too.”
Lockhart’s last appearance was as “the voice of Alpha Control” for Netflix’s 2021 reboot of “Lost in Space.”
She was nominated for two Emmy Awards, including Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Series for her work in “Lassie” in 1959. She was also 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.
Rest well, June Lockhart.
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