Celebrated actress June Lockhart has passed away at the age of 100, dying from natural causes in Santa Monica, California.
The veteran performer, who died on October 23, was best recognised for her maternal roles in two iconic American television series of the 1950s and 1960s.
Ms Lockhart portrayed Ruth Martin, a foster mother caring for both an orphaned boy and the famous collie in the CBS programme Lassie between 1958 and 1964.
She subsequently appeared as Dr Maureen Robinson, a biochemist stranded in space with her family, in the science fiction series Lost in Space from 1965 to 1968.
June Lockhart pictured in 2015
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Her career spanned nearly eight decades, with the actress continuing to work well into her eighties across numerous television productions and films.
During her time on Lassie, Ms Lockhart succeeded Cloris Leachman when the Martin family relocated to the collie’s farm, becoming foster parents to the orphaned boy Timmy alongside the famous dog.
Between filming, she recalled spending time “playing Scrabble with my hairdresser and the crew”, as she revealed to Closer magazine earlier this year.
The actress identified Lost in Space as her preferred role amongst her extensive television work.
Cast members from Lost In Space, including June Lockhart, Guy Williams, Angela Cartwright and Bob May in 1983
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“It was so campy,” she explained in the same interview, adding that she “truly enjoyed my relationship with my space family.”
Throughout her lengthy television career, Ms Lockhart secured recurring parts in programmes including Petticoat Junction, General Hospital and Beverly Hills 90210.
She also made guest appearances across multiple decades in series ranging from The Beverly Hillbillies and Happy Days to Full House, Roseanne and Grey’s Anatomy.
Born in New York City in 1925 to performers Gene Lockhart and Kathleen Lockhart, the actress entered the film industry at just 13 years old.
Her screen debut came in Edwin L. Marin’s 1939 adaptation of A Christmas Carol, where she portrayed Belinda Cratchit alongside both her parents.
Following this early success, Ms Lockhart featured in several notable productions including All This, and Heaven Too, Meet Me in St. Louis, The Yearling and Sergeant York.
She also appeared in Son of Lassie as Priscilla, playing the Duke of Rudling’s granddaughter.
Throughout the 1950s, the actress made guest appearances in numerous Western television programmes, including Wagon Train, Cimarron City, Gunsmoke, Have Gun – Will Travel and Rawhide.
Her stage work earned recognition when she received a Special Tony Award for Outstanding Performance by a Newcomer for her Broadway role in For Love or Money in 1948.
The actress garnered two Emmy nominations, including one for Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Series for her work on Lassie.
June Lockhart and Jon Provost, who both starred on the TV Show Lassie with Lassie in 2003
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She was honoured with two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, recognising her contributions to both film and television.
Her daughter June Elizabeth released a statement highlighting her mother’s interests beyond performing.
“Mommy always considered acting as her craft, her vocation, but her true passions were journalism, politics, science and NASA,” she said.
June Lockhart in 1960
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June Elizabeth noted that her mother took particular pride in her Lost in Space role’s impact on viewers.
“She was delighted to know that she inspired many future astronauts, as they would remind her on visits to NASA. That meant even more to her than the hundreds of television and movies roles she played.”