June Lockhart

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June Lockhart
Lockhart in 1947
Born
June Kathleen Lockhart

(1925-06-25)June 25, 1925
New York City, U.S.
DiedOctober 23, 2025(2025-10-23) (aged 100)
Santa Monica, California, U.S.
EducationWestlake School for Girls
OccupationActress
Years active1933–2021
Known for
Spouses
  • John F. Maloney
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1951; div. 1959)​
  • John Lindsay
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1959; div. 1970)​
Children2, including Anne
Parents
AwardsSpecial Tony Award

June Kathleen Lockhart (June 25, 1925 – October 23, 2025) was an American actress, beginning a film career in the 1930s and 1940s in films such as A Christmas Carol and Meet Me in St. Louis. She appeared primarily in 1950s and 1960s television and with performances on stage and in film. She became most widely known for her work on two television series, Lassie and Lost in Space, in which she played mother roles. Lockhart also portrayed Dr. Janet Craig on the CBS television sitcom Petticoat Junction (1968–70). She was a two-time Emmy Award nominee and a Tony Award winner. With a career spanning nearly 90 years, Lockhart was one of the last surviving actors from the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Early life

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June Kathleen Lockhart was born on June 25, 1925, in Manhattan in New York City.[1] She was the daughter of Canadian-American actor Gene Lockhart, who came to prominence on Broadway in 1933 in Ah, Wilderness! and English-born actress Kathleen Lockhart (née Arthur).[2] Her grandfather was John Coates Lockhart, "a concert-singer".[3]

Lockhart attended the Westlake School for Girls in Beverly Hills, California.[4]

Film

[edit]
Lockhart in Son of Lassie (1945)

Lockhart made her film debut with her parents in a film version of A Christmas Carol in 1938.[5][6] She also played supporting parts in All This, and Heaven Too (1940),[6] Sergeant York (1941, as Alvin York's sister),[6] Meet Me in St. Louis (1944),[6] and The Yearling (1946).[6] She played a key role in Son of Lassie (1945), a concept that she revisited at length during the television series Lassie more than a dozen years later.[6] She was the top-billed star of She-Wolf of London (1946).[6]

In 1986, Lockhart appeared in the fantasy film Troll.[6] The younger version of her character in that film was played by her daughter, Anne Lockhart.[7] They had previously played the same woman at two different ages in the "Lest We Forget" episode of the television series Magnum, P.I. (1981).[8]

Stage

[edit]

Lockhart debuted on stage at the age of 8, playing Mimsey in Peter Ibbetson, presented by the Metropolitan Opera.[9] In 1947, her acting in For Love or Money brought her out of her parents' shadow and gained her notice as "a promising movie actress in her own right". One newspaper article began, "June Lockhart has burst on Broadway with the suddenness of an unpredicted comet."[4]

In 1951, Lockhart starred in Lawrence Riley's biographical play Kin Hubbard opposite Tom Ewell.[10]

Television

[edit]
Lockhart as Ruth Martin in Lassie (1963)

In 1955, Lockhart appeared in an episode of CBS's Appointment with Adventure. About this time, she also made several appearances on NBC's legal drama Justice, based on case files of the Legal Aid Society of New York. In the late 1950s, Lockhart guest-starred in several popular television Westerns, including Wagon Train (in the episode "The Ricky and Laura Bell Story")[11] and Cimarron City (in the episode "Medicine Man" with Gary Merrill) on NBC,[12] Gunsmoke,[13] Have Gun – Will Travel,[14] and Rawhide on CBS.[14]

In 1958, Lockhart was the narrator for Playhouse 90's telecast of the George Balanchine version of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker, featuring Balanchine himself as Drosselmeyer, along with the New York City Ballet.[15]

Lockhart is also famous for her roles as TV mothers,[1][16] first as Ruth Martin, the wife of Paul Martin (portrayed by Hugh Reilly) and the mother of Timmy Martin (played by Jon Provost) in the 1950s CBS series Lassie (a role that she played from 1958 to 1964).[17] She replaced actress Cloris Leachman,[1] who in turn had replaced Jan Clayton.[16] Following her five-year run on Lassie, Lockhart made a guest appearance on Perry Mason as defendant Mona Stanton Harvey in "The Case of the Scandalous Sculptor".[18] Lockhart then starred as Dr. Maureen Robinson in Lost in Space, which ran from 1965 to 1968 on CBS, opposite veteran actors Guy Williams and Jonathan Harris.[1]

Lockhart played Maureen Robinson in the sci-fi series Lost in Space (1965–1968)

In 1965, Lockhart played librarian Ina Coolbrith, first poet laureate of California, in the episode "Magic Locket" of the syndicated Western series Death Valley Days.[19] She then appeared as Dr. Janet Craig on the final two seasons of the CBS sitcom Petticoat Junction (1968–1970); her character was brought in to fill the void created after Bea Benaderet died during the run of the show.[1] Lockhart was a regular in the ABC soap opera General Hospital during the 1980s and 1990s,[17] and was also a voice actress, providing the voice of the lead character in the Hanna-Barbera animated series These Are the Days on ABC for one season in 1974.[20]

Lockhart appeared as a hostess for CBS broadcasts of the Miss USA Pageant for six years, the Miss Universe Pageant for six years, the Tournament of Roses Parade for eight years, and the Thanksgiving Parade for five years.[21]

In 1991, Lockhart appeared as Miss Wiltrout, Michelle Tanner's kindergarten teacher, on the TV sitcom Full House.[18][22] She also had a cameo in the 1998 film Lost in Space, based on the television series in which she had starred 30 years earlier.[6] In 2002, she appeared in two episodes of The Drew Carey Show as Lewis's mother, Misty Kiniski.[18]

In 2004, Lockhart voiced the role of Grandma Emma Fowler in Focus on the Family's The Last Chance Detectives audio cases.[23] Lockhart starred as James Caan's mother in an episode of Las Vegas[22] and subsequently guest-starred in episodes of Cold Case[24] and Grey's Anatomy,[22] in the 2007 ABC Family television film Holiday in Handcuffs,[18] and in the 2007 feature film Wesley as Susanna Wesley, mother of the founder of Methodism, John Wesley.[18][25]

In May 2014, Lockhart appeared in Tesla Effect, a video game that combines live-action footage with three-dimensional graphics.[26]

Personal life and death

[edit]
Lockhart in 2009

In 1951, Lockhart married John F. Maloney. They had two daughters, Anne Kathleen and June Elizabeth. The couple divorced in 1959.[27] She married architect John Lindsay that same year, but they divorced in October 1970 and she never remarried. A Roman Catholic, Lockhart and her daughter Anne and actress Kay Lenz met Pope John Paul II in 1985.[28][29][30]

Lockhart had a lifelong fascination with American presidential candidates and the media's coverage of them. Her friend reporter Merriman Smith arranged for her to travel with both major-party candidates Dwight D. Eisenhower and Adlai Stevenson during the 1956 presidential election and again with both campaigns in the 1960 election. Between 1957 and 2004, Lockhart attended many presidential briefings.[31]

Although a child of the Greatest Generation, Lockhart embraced rock music and listened to emerging rock bands. In an interview, her Lost in Space co-star Bill Mumy stated that she took Angela Cartwright and him to the Whisky a Go Go nightclub in Hollywood "to hang out with The Allman Brothers Band".[32] Appearing on The Virginia Graham Show in 1970 with Art Metrano and LGBT cleric Troy Perry, Lockhart confronted Graham about her moralizing tone toward gay people.[33]

She turned 100 on June 25, 2025.[34] Lockhart died of natural causes at her home in Santa Monica, California, on October 23, 2025.[35]

Recognition

[edit]
The handprints of June Lockhart in front of Hollywood Hills Amphitheater at Walt Disney World's Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park

In 1948, Lockhart received a Special Tony Award for Outstanding Performance by a Newcomer (a category that no longer exists) for her role on Broadway in For Love or Money.[36] Lockhart donated her Tony Award to the Smithsonian Institution in 2008 for display in the permanent entertainment archives of the National Museum of American History.[37][5]

Lockhart was nominated for two Emmy awards. In 1953, she was nominated for Best Actress.[38] In 1959, she was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role (Continuing Character) in a Dramatic Series for her role in Lassie.[39]

Lockhart has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one for motion pictures (6323 Hollywood Boulevard) and one for television (6362 Hollywood Boulevard). Both were dedicated on February 8, 1960.[40] In 2013, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) awarded her the Exceptional Public Achievement Medal for inspiring the public about space exploration.[41]

Filmography

[edit]

Films

[edit]
Year Film Role Notes Refs.
1938 A Christmas Carol Belinda Cratchit [42]
1940 All This, and Heaven Too Isabelle [21]
1941 Adam Had Four Sons Vance [21]
Sergeant York Rosie York [21]
1942 Miss Annie Rooney Stella Bainbridge [21]
1943 Forever and a Day Girl in air raid shelter Alternate title: The Changing World [21]
1944 Meet Me in St. Louis Lucille Ballard [21]
The White Cliffs of Dover Betsy Kenney at age 18 Uncredited [21]
1945 Keep Your Powder Dry Sarah Swanson [21]
Son of Lassie Priscilla [21]
1946 She-Wolf of London Phyllis Allenby [43]
1947 Bury Me Dead Barbara Carlin [21]
It's a Joke, Son! Mary Lou Claghorn [21]
T-Men Mary Genaro [21]
1957 Time Limit Mrs. Cargill [43]
1981 Peter-No-Tail Mother Voice, English version [18]
1982 Butterfly Mrs. Gillespie [21]
Deadly Games Marge [42]
Aladdin and the Magic Lamp Aladdin's Mother Voice, English version [44]
1983 Strange Invaders Mrs. Bigelow [42]
1986 Troll Eunice St. Clair [42]
1988 Rented Lips Archie's mother [18]
1989 C.H.U.D. II: Bud the C.H.U.D. Gracie [42]
The Big Picture Janet Kingsley [45]
1991 Dead Women in Lingerie Ma [42]
1994 Sleep with Me Caroline [21]
1998 Lost in Space Principal Cartwright [6][18]
1999 Deterrence Secretary of State Clift [6][44]
2000 The Thundering 8th Margaret Howard [6]
2001 One Night at McCool's Bingo Player Uncredited [44]
2009 Wesley Susanna Wesley [18]
Super Capers Mother [18]
2012 Zombie Hamlet Hester Beauchamps [18]
2016 The Remake Irene O'Connor [18]
2019 Bongee Bear and the Kingdom of Rhythm Mindy the Owl Voice [18]

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Refs.
1949 The Ford Theatre Hour Amy March 1 episode [44]
1952 Hallmark Hall of Fame Dolly Madison Episode: Mistress of the White House [46]
1956 Science Fiction Theatre Eve Patrick Episode: "Death at My Fingertips" [47][42]
1957 The Joseph Cotten Show Julie Baggs 1 episode
The Kaiser Aluminum Hour Verna 1 episode [44]
Have Gun – Will Travel Dr. Phyllis Thackeray 2 episodes [48][48]
1958 Shirley Temple's Storybook Beauty's Sister Episode: "Beauty and the Beast" [42][42]
Wagon Train Sarah Drummond Episode: "The Sarah Drummond Story" [49][50]
NBC Matinee Theater Connie 1 episode [44]
Gunsmoke Beula Episode: "Dirt" [49]
Playhouse 90 Narrator 1 episode [14]
1958–1964 Lassie Ruth Martin 200 episodes [51]
1959 Rawhide Rainy Dawson Episode: "Incident at Barker Springs" [49]
General Electric Theater Vera 1 episode [44]
1960 Wagon Train Laura Bell Episode: "The Ricky and Laura Bell Story" [49][11]
1964 Perry Mason Mona Stanton Harvey 1 episode [18]
Bewitched Mrs. Burns Episode: "Little Pitchers Have Big Ears" [42]
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea Dr. Ellen Bryce Episode: "The Ghost of Moby Dick" [42]
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Sarah Taub Episode: "The Dove Affair" [42]
1965 Branded Mrs. Sue Pritchett Episode: "The Vindicator" [52][49]
Death Valley Days Miss Ina Coolbrith Episode: "The Magic Locket" [19]
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour Martha Episode: "The Second Wife" [42]
Mr. Novak Mrs. Nelby Episode: "Once a Clown" [14][44]
1965–1968 Lost in Space Maureen Robinson 84 episodes [53]
1968–1970 Petticoat Junction Dr. Janet Craig 45 episodes [21]
1968 Family Affair Miss Evans 3 episodes [18][44]
1971 The Man and the City Ellen Lewis 1 episode [44]
1974 Marcus Welby, M.D. Lila 1 episode [18]
Adam-12 Mrs. Whitney Episodes: "Camp" Part 1 & 2 [18]
These Are the Days 1 season [20]
1975 Ellery Queen Claudia Wentworth 1 episode [44]
New Zoo Revue Penelope Potter 1 episode
1976 Happy Days Judge MacBride 1 episode [18]
Quincy, M.E. Clara Rhoades 1 episode [44]
1978 The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries Mrs. Migley Episode: "The Pirates" [42]
1981 Vega$ Dr. Michaels 1 episode [44]
Magnum, P.I. Diane Westmore Pauley 1 episode [18]
Darkroom Margo Haskell Episode: "Uncle George" [42]
1982 Falcon Crest Mara Wingate 1 episode [44]
Knots Landing Hilda Grant 1 episode [44]
1981 The Greatest American Hero Mrs. Davidson 2 episodes [42]
1984 Whiz Kids Mrs. Butterfield 1 episode [44]
The Night They Saved Christmas Mrs. Claus TV movie [42]
1985 Murder, She Wrote Beryl Hayward 1 episode [18]
1985; 1992; 1993 General Hospital Mariah Ramirez 14 episodes [54]
1986 The Colbys Dr. Sylvia Heywood 2 episodes [44]
Hotel Betty Archer 1 episode [44]
Amazing Stories Mildred Episode: "The Pumpkin Connection" [42]
1987 Pound Puppies Aunt Millie 1 episode [21]
1989 The New Lassie Mrs. Chadwick 1 episode [21]
1991 Full House Miss Wiltrout 2 episodes [18]
1992 Danger Island Kate TV movie [42]
1993 The John Larroquette Show John's mother 1 episode [44]
1994 The Mommies Bev – Barb's Mom 1 episode [44]
Babylon 5 Dr. Laura Rosen Episode: "The Quality of Mercy" [42]
'Tis The Season: A Hawaiian Christmas Story Mrs. Livingston Television film [55]
The Ren & Stimpy Show Dr. Brainchild's Mother 1 episode [44]
1995 The Critic Herself 1 episode [21]
The Colony Mrs. Billingsley Television film [42]
Duckman Oppressed Wife 1 episode [44]
Roseanne Leon's mother 1 episode [21]
Out There Donna Television film [42]
1996 Step by Step Helen Lambert 3 episodes [21]
1997 7th Heaven Veterinarian 1 episode [18]
Beverly Hills, 90210 Celia Martin 4 episodes [18]
2001 Au Pair II Grandma Nell Grayson Television film [18]
2002 The Drew Carey Show Misty Kiniski 2 episodes [18]
2003 Andy Richter Controls the Universe Grandma Evelyn 1 episode [18]
2004 Complete Savages Grammy Na-Na 2 episodes [18]
Las Vegas Bette Deline 1 episode [18]
2006 Grey's Anatomy Agnes 1 episode [18]
Cold Case Muriel Bartleby 1 episode [18]
2007 Holiday in Handcuffs Grandma Television film [18]
2021 Lost in Space June, aka the Voice of Alpha Control 1 episode; Netflix series [44]

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e Gates, Anita (October 25, 2025). "June Lockhart, Beloved Television Mother, Dies at 100". The New York Times. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
  2. ^ "A Star Is Born". Life. November 24, 1947. p. 59. ISSN 0024-3019.
  3. ^ Maays, Stan (February 15, 1970). "June Lockhart Jr. To Make TV Debut". Abilene Reporter-News. p. 5E. Retrieved March 13, 2020 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  4. ^ a b Meegan, Jean (November 23, 1947). "Winsome June Lockhart Draws Broadway 'Raves'". Corpus Christi Caller-Times. p. 3B. Retrieved September 26, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  5. ^ a b "Photo Flash: Legendary Leading Ladies Donate to National Museum of American History". BroadwayWorld. February 1, 2008. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Monush, Barry (2003). The Encyclopedia of Hollywood Film Actors: From the Silent Era to 1965. Hal Leonard Corporation. pp. 432–433. ISBN 1-55783-551-9.
  7. ^ Weaver, Tom (1995). They Fought in the Creature Features. McFarland. p. 197. ISBN 978-1-4766-1686-5.
  8. ^ Tate, Marsha Ann; Houser, Earl (2022). What America Watched: Television Favorites from the Cornfields to the Cosmos, 1960s-1990s. McFarland. p. 236. ISBN 978-1-4766-4465-3.
  9. ^ Boyle, Hal (March 13, 1959). "Gene Lockhart Versatile Man". Florence Times. p. 5. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  10. ^ Calta, Louis (August 17, 1951). "Westport to Give 5 Plays to Rialto; Lawrence Langner Predicts Broadway Runs for Summer Tryouts". The New York Times. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
  11. ^ a b Lentz 1997, p. 444.
  12. ^ Lentz 1997, p. 88.
  13. ^ Lentz 1997, p. 168.
  14. ^ a b c d Inman, David (1991). The TV Encyclopedia. Perigee Books. pp. 531–532. ISBN 978-0-399-51704-4.
  15. ^ Kodat, Catherine Gunther (2000). "Dancing Through the Cold War: The Case of "The Nutcracker"". Mosaic: An Interdisciplinary Critical Journal. 33 (3): 6, 17. ISSN 0027-1276. JSTOR 44029692.
  16. ^ a b Associated Press (October 25, 2025). "June Lockhart, beloved mother figure from 'Lassie' and 'Lost In Space,' dies at 100". NPR. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
  17. ^ a b Bergen, Ronald (October 26, 2025). "June Lockhart obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae "June Lockhart - Actress". TV Insider. NTVB Media. October 26, 2025. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
  19. ^ a b Romanko, Karen A. (2025). "Coolbrith, Ina (1841–1928)". Historical Women on Television: Portrayals of 120 Notable Figures in Scripted Programs. McFarland. ISBN 978-1-4766-5597-0.
  20. ^ a b Lloyd, Robert (October 27, 2025). "Appreciation: Strong and warm, June Lockhart was a model of TV motherhood". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u "June Lockhart". TCMDB. Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
  22. ^ a b c Marble, Steve (October 25, 2025). "June Lockhart dies; TV's favorite mom on 'Lassie' and 'Lost in Space'". 2025-10-30.
  23. ^ Phan, Katherine T. (June 8, 2004). "FOTF Announces New Radio Series 'The Last Chance Detectives'". Christian Post. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
  24. ^ "In Memoriam: June Lockhart". Overstreet Access. October 27, 2025. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
  25. ^ "June Lockhart (Susannah Wesley)". wesleythemovie.com. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
  26. ^ "TESLA EFFECT: A TEX MURPHY ADVENTURE". FMV World. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
  27. ^ Gingrich, Arnold (1959). "Lockhart and Her Lassie". Coronet. 45: 14.
  28. ^ Stagnaro, Angelo (February 26, 2017). "Where the Stars Go to Pray: The Churches of Hollywood". National Catholic Register.
  29. ^ Belmond, Sylvie (April 7, 2005). "Locals reflect on the life of Pope John Paul II". Moorpark Acorn. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  30. ^ Lockhart, June (October 30, 2014). "Guideposts Classics: June Lockhart on Where She Prays".
  31. ^ Sanderson, Bill (August 7, 2016). "June Lockhart was America's greatest presidential groupie". New York Post. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
  32. ^ "June Lockhart kept one picture in her wallet and you'll never guess who it was". MeTV. May 10, 2019. Archived from the original on May 14, 2019. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
  33. ^ "Clips: 1970, June Lockhart gently challenges homophobia on THE VIRGINIA GRAHAM SHOW w/Rev Troy Perry". YouTube. June 25, 2023.
  34. ^ Berman, Marc (June 25, 2025). "June Lockhart Turns 100: A Celebration Of The Beloved Actress". Forbes. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  35. ^ Edel, Victoria; Rice, Nicholas (October 25, 2025). "'Lassie' and 'Lost in Space' Star June Lockhart Dead at 100". People. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
  36. ^ "Search Results: June Lockhart". Tony Awards. Archived from the original on July 25, 2017. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
  37. ^ "Nine Legendary Leading Ladies From Stage and Screen Donate Career Memorabilia to the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History" (Press release). Smithsonian Institution. January 29, 2008. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
  38. ^ "Best Actress Nominees / Winners 1953". Television Academy. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  39. ^ "Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series Nominees / Winners 1959". Television Academy. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  40. ^ "June Lockhart". Hollywood Walk of Fame. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
  41. ^ Archuleta, Daniel (November 6, 2013). "NASA recognizes local actress as one of its brightest stars". Santa Monica Daily Press. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
  42. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v Lentz 2001.
  43. ^ a b Dye, David (1988). Child and Youth Actors: Filmographies of Their Entire Careers, 1914-1985. McFarland. p. 132. ISBN 978-0-89950-247-2.
  44. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w "June Lockhart". TV Guide. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
  45. ^ "The Big Picture - Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
  46. ^ ""Hallmark Hall of Fame" Season 1 (1951-52)". Classic TV Archive. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  47. ^ Lentz, Harris M. (2001). Science Fiction, Horror & Fantasy Film and Television Credits. McFarland. p. 362. ISBN 978-0-7864-0942-6.
  48. ^ a b Tate & Houser 2022, p. 64.
  49. ^ a b c d e Lentz 1996.
  50. ^ Lentz 1997, p. 440.
  51. ^ Lapham, Jake (October 26, 2025). "Lassie and Lost in Space actress June Lockhart dies aged 100". British Broadcasting Company. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
  52. ^ Lentz, Harris (1997). Television Westerns Episode Guide. McFarland & Co. p. 61. ISBN 0786403772.
  53. ^ "Actress June Lockhart Dead at 100 ... 'Lassie,' 'Lost in Space' Star". TMZ. October 25, 2025. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
  54. ^ Amber, Ashley (October 25, 2025). "General Hospital Star June Lockhart Dies at 100". Yahoo Entertainment. SoapHub. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
  55. ^ "Tis The Season - A Hawaiian Christmas Story". Yellow Brick Studio. Retrieved October 29, 2025.

Further reading

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to June Lockhart.
Wikiquote has quotations related to June Lockhart.