June Lockhart, iconic TV mom of Lassie and Lost in Space, dies at 100

25 October 2025

June Lockhart in 1948. Everett

June Lockhart, celebrated for her enduring television roles during the Golden Age of Hollywood, has passed away at the age of 100 at her home in Santa Monica, California, the family announced.

Born in New York City in 1925 to actors Gene and Kathleen Lockhart, she made her first stage appearance at age eight and debuted on film as a child in the 1938 adaptation of A Christmas Carol. She achieved early acclaim on Broadway, earning a Special Tony Award for her 1947 performance in For Love or Money.

Television audiences became deeply familiar with Lockhart in 1958 when she was cast as Ruth Martin on Lassie, a beloved family drama about a boy and his loyal collie; she stayed in the role until 1964 and became a household figure of maternal kindness and reliability. Following that, she embraced a wholly different terrain in science-fiction, portraying Maureen Robinson on Lost in Space from 1965 to 1968, a role that cemented her status as a pop-culture icon and inspired fans toward space and exploration.

Her career was remarkable not only for its longevity but for its variety: from film to stage to television, and across genres from wholesome family drama to interstellar adventure. She earned nominations for Emmy Awards, received two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and maintained a strong presence well into her later years, making guest appearances in series such as Grey’s Anatomy and Full House.

Off-screen, Lockhart also nurtured interests that extended far beyond her acting. She was a noted enthusiast of space exploration, frequently associating with NASA events and astronauts, and was awarded the agency’s Exceptional Public Achievement Medal in 2014 in recognition of her efforts. She carried a lifelong curiosity about politics and current events, and for decades held a lifetime press pass to the White House, attending briefings and keeping close tabs on governance and journalism.

Despite her on-screen image as the perfect TV mother, Lockhart described herself as having a rich life filled with varied experiences from flying in hot-air balloons to driving tanks. She once remarked that viewers rarely saw the full spectrum of a person’s life, even when they saw her familiar face.

Lockhart is survived by her two daughters, Anne and June Elizabeth, and leaves behind a legacy that stretches across decades of popular culture and entertainment. With a career spanning nearly nine decades from her 1938 film debut to appearances in the 2020s she stood as one of the last surviving stars of classic Hollywood television.

Her passing marks the end of a truly remarkable journey one defined by grace, talent, adaptability and a deep affection from audiences across generations. As the world mourns her loss, her contributions to television, film and culture will continue to shine brightly.