Hollywood has lost one of its most loved and lasting stars June Lockhart.
June Lockhart, the famous actress best known for her roles in Lassie and Lost in Space, has died at the age of 100.
She passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 23, in Santa Monica, California, at 9:20 p.m. Her daughter, June Elizabeth, and granddaughter, Christianna, were with her when she died.
Her family said she passed from natural causes. The family will hold a private funeral and has asked that instead of flowers, fans donate to The Actors Fund, ProPublica, or International Hearing Dog, Inc.
Born in New York City in 1925, June came from a family of actors. Her parents, Gene and Kathleen Lockhart, were both in the movie business, so it was no surprise when she followed in their footsteps.
June started performing when she was just eight years old, appearing in a stage production of Peter Ibbetson at the Metropolitan Opera House. A few years later, she made her film debut in A Christmas Carol (1938), acting alongside her parents.
Her early films included She-Wolf of London, All This and Heaven Too, and Adam Had Four Sons. In 1947, she won a Tony Award for Best Newcomer for her performance in the Broadway play For Love or Money. That success opened doors to a long and successful career in film, television, and theater.
By the 1950s, June Lockhart had become a familiar face on TV. She appeared in shows such as Wagon Train, Hallmark Hall of Fame, and Shirley Temple’s Storybook. But in 1958, she landed the role that would make her a television legend—Ruth Martin, the kind and loving mother in Lassie. The show was a huge success, and Lockhart’s performance earned her several Emmy nominations.
A few years later, she starred in another hit series, Lost in Space (1965–1968), playing Maureen Robinson, the smart and caring mother of a family traveling through space. The show became a cult classic and inspired many future scientists and astronauts. Lockhart often joked that after Lassie, no one ever told her they wanted to be a farmer—but after Lost in Space, many said they wanted to work for NASA.
Away from acting, June lived an adventurous and curious life. She loved excitement—attending rock concerts, going on hot-air balloon rides, and even driving military tanks. “I do a lot of things that don’t go hand in hand with my image,” she once said.
June was also passionate about science and space. She worked closely with NASA for decades and often visited its staff and events. In 2014, she became the first actress ever to receive NASA’s Exceptional Public Achievement Medal for her support of the space program. She attended two shuttle launches and stayed active in promoting space exploration well into her later years.
In her personal life, June was married to John F. Maloney from 1951 to 1959 and had two daughters, Anne and June Elizabeth. She was not only a loving mother in her real life but also to millions of TV viewers who grew up watching her.
Over her long career, June Lockhart appeared in more than 150 films and television shows, including Petticoat Junction, Roseanne, Full House, and Grey’s Anatomy. Her influence on entertainment was so strong that she received two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame—one for movies and one for television—on the same day in 1960.
June Lockhart will be remembered as one of the last great stars from Hollywood’s Golden Age. She was talented, graceful, and endlessly curious—a woman who inspired generations through her performances and her passion for life. Her death marks the end of an era, but her legacy will continue to shine brightly in the hearts of fans around the world.