June Lockhart, the beloved actress known for her iconic roles in ‘Lassie’ and ‘Lost in Space,’ has died at the age of 100. She passed away from natural causes on Thursday, October 23, at her home in Santa Monica, California. She was surrounded by her daughter, June Elizabeth, and granddaughter Christianna.
A press release announcing her death was issued on Saturday, October 25. The family plans a private service and requests donations to The Actors Fund, ProPublica, and International Hearing Dog, Inc., in lieu of flowers.
Her daughter, June Elizabeth, emphasized Lockhart’s broader interests beyond acting. “Mom always considered acting her craft, her calling, but her true passions were journalism, politics, science, and NASA,” she stated. Lockhart deeply cherished her role in ‘Lost in Space,’ knowing it inspired many future astronauts.
This connection meant more to her than the hundreds of other roles she played throughout her career.
Lockhart’s commitment to space exploration was widely recognized. She worked with NASA since the 1970s, attending shuttle launches and speaking on behalf of the agency. In 2009, she joined legendary astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin in Washington D.C. for the 40th anniversary of the moon landing.
NASA honored Lockhart in 2013 with the “Exceptional Public Achievement Medal.” This rare award recognizes non-government individuals who have made significant career contributions to NASA. Lockhart proudly noted she was the only actress to receive such an honor.
Her extensive acting career spanned nearly 90 years, beginning on stage at age 8. She debuted in 1933’s ‘Peter Ibbetson’ at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. At 13, she appeared in ‘A Christmas Carol’ alongside her parents, Gene and Kathleen Lockhart.
At 19, she landed the role of Lucille Ballard in ‘Meet Me in St. Louis.’ She gained significant traction on television from the 1950s to the 1970s. During this period, she starred as Mother in ‘Lassie,’ Maureen Robinson in ‘Lost in Space,’ and Dr. Janet Craig in ‘Petticoat Junction.’
In 1947, Lockhart made her Broadway debut in ‘For Love or Money.’ Her performance earned her a Tony Award in 1948 for “Outstanding Performance by a Newcomer.” This award category no longer exists.
Her profound body of work was further cemented with two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. These were dedicated in 1960, one for her contributions to television and another for film.
Beyond her work in entertainment and science, Lockhart was a vocal animal rights advocate. She supported the Santa Monica Mounted Police horses and served as a national spokesperson for International Hearing Dog Inc.