June Lockhart Beloved Actress and Space Enthusiast Dies at 100
June Lockhart, a celebrated actress revered for her memorable performances in shows like Lassie, Lost in Space, and the film A Christmas Carol, has passed away. She had reached the age of 100.
According to a press release issued on Saturday, October 25, Lockhart's death on Thursday, October 23, was due to natural causes. She passed peacefully in her Santa Monica, California residence, attended by her daughter June Elizabeth and granddaughter Christianna.
The memorial service will be kept private; instead of floral tributes, the family kindly requests contributions be made to The Actors Fund, ProPublica, and International Hearing Dog, Inc.
Her daughter, June Elizabeth, stated, “While Mommy viewed acting as her profession and artistry, her genuine interests lay in journalism, politics, science, and NASA.” She added, “She deeply valued her part in Lost in Space and was thrilled to learn she had motivated numerous aspiring astronauts, a fact they often reiterated during her NASA visits. This held greater significance for her than the countless television and film parts she undertook.”
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Her acting journey, spanning almost nine decades, encompassed theater, cinema, and other mediums. Her first stage appearance was at age 8 in the 1933 staging of Peter Ibbetson at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. By 13, she was on screen in A Christmas Carol, sharing scenes with her parents, Gene and Kathleen Lockhart.
Her early career rapidly progressed after that, as she secured the part of Lucille Ballard in Meet Me in St. Louis at only 19.
From the 1950s to the 1970s, Lockhart's presence grew significantly on television, where she famously played the Mother in Lassie, Maureen Robinson in Lost in Space, and Dr. Janet Craig in Petticoat Junction.
Her Broadway debut came in 1947, in the production For Love or Money. This performance led to her receiving a Tony Award in 1948, in the now-defunct category of “Outstanding Performance by a Newcomer.”
Over her extensive career spanning multiple decades, her considerable contributions were recognized with two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (one for television and one for motion pictures), both unveiled in 1960.
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Lockhart was deeply engaged with NASA and the realm of space exploration; her portrayal in Lost In Space notably motivated numerous astronauts of her era. She regularly attended NASA launches and landings, and in 2009, she joined esteemed astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin in Washington, D.C., to mark the 40th anniversary of the lunar landing.
In 2013, NASA presented Lockhart with the “Exceptional Public Achievement Medal,” an accolade bestowed upon non-governmental individuals for their career-long contributions to the agency.
Upon receiving the award, she told The Denver Gazette, “I’ve witnessed two space shuttle launches and collaborated with NASA since the 1970s, speaking to their staff and advocating for the agency.” She added, “Therefore, I am utterly delighted by this acknowledgment. No other actress has been granted this distinction.”
Beyond her diverse pursuits, Lockhart was a fervent advocate for animal welfare. She lent her support to the Santa Monica Mounted Police Horses and served as the National Spokesperson for International Hearing Dog Inc.
