June Lockhart, beloved mother figure from 'Lassie' and 'Lost In Space,' dies at 100

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By BOB THOMAS and BETH HARRIS
Updated 2:33 PM CDT, October 25, 2025

LOS ANGELES (AP) — June Lockhart, who became a mother figure for a generation of television viewers whether at home in “Lassie” or up in the stratosphere in “Lost In Space,” has died. She was 100.

Lockhart died Thursday of natural causes at her home in Santa Monica, family spokesman Lyle Gregory, a friend of 40 years, said Saturday.

“She was very happy up until the very end, reading the New York Times and LA Times everyday,” he said. “It was very important to her to stay focused on the news of the day.”

The daughter of prolific character actor Gene Lockhart, Lockhart was cast frequently in ingenue roles as a young film actor. Television made her a star.



Read more: https://apnews.com/article/june-lockhart-obituary-lassie-lost-space-d994f1fa075f4a6e204e6cee0f74ed07

[sinkingfeeling]

1. R.I.P.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

2. Even in her advanced age, she still looked terrific, and Lassie is beautiful also.

RIP June, cross gently.

[Polybius]

18. That pic was from 2003

But you're right; even at 78, she looks terrific.

[synni]

3. I'm happy to hear that she didn't suffer before she died

May she rest in paradise.

[hlthe2b]

4. I always liked her and agree that she always projected happiness...

I honestly didn't realize she was still among us, but I'm glad she apparently went peacefully. RIP, June!

[PJMcK]

5. Another one from my childhood!

Of course, I, too, am getting on in years.

[Ilsa]

6. Her eyes were always cheerful. Lovely lady, even at 78

in the picture. I don't remember what Timmy looked like as a kid.

[John1956PA]

7. One of her first roles was that of Belinda Cratchit, one of the Cratchits' daughters in "A Christmas Carol" (1938).

The Cratchits were played by June's parents, Gene and Kathleen Lockhart. June was uncredited in her role as Belinda.

[Bayard]

19. Nice piece of movie trivia!

Here's another one. Lassie was actually played by male Collies because they have better coats than females of the breed.

RIP Ms. Lockhart.

[John1956PA]

26. . .

[Raven123]

8. Oh no. Enjoyed her greatly

She was a stitch as Grandma in the Christmas movie, Holiday in Handcuffs.

[Fiendish Thingy]

9. Although she played a traditional mom and housewife, she was anything but one

Even though she was older than the hippies of the sixties, she was known to hang out with them.

A former co-worker who was also a professional musician whose band opened for many famous acts back in the day, told me that June partied with the Allman Brothers back in the seventies.

She had a definite bohemian streak in her, revealed by the twinkle in her eyes.

[NH Ethylene]

25. Perhaps she had been a beatnik.

They predated the hippie movement.

[SheltieLover]

10. ...

[KS Toronado]

11. First time I remember seeing her was as Gary Cooper's little sister

in Sergeant York at our local drive-in.

[BumRushDaShow]

12. Heard this on the radio this afternoon

I didn't realize she was still around! Really loved her character in "Lost in Space".

Her daughter Anne played "Sheba" in the original Battlestar Galactica!



R.I.P. and thank you for some fun memories!

[Mysterian]

13. Great actress! Loved her!

Happy travels, Ms. Lockhart!

[2naSalit]

14. ...

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

15. RIP

Now who will watch out for Will Robinson?

[raccoon]

23. The robot I guess.

[electric_blue68]

16. 🕯

[turbinetree]

17. This is truly a sad day.........................

[Polybius]

20. She played an amazing Mrs. Claus in 1984's "The Night They Saved Christmas"

Along with Art Carney as Santa Claus. RIP.

[Festivito]

21. Also Petticoat Junction. As a country doctor.

[calimary]

22. She taught me how to do eye makeup.

"Aunt June".

I was lucky enough to land in the same elementary school that her older daughter, Annie, attended. That started when we were both in fourth grade. It's almost 50 years ago by now, and we're still best friends!

There came a point when June's 2nd marriage broke up. She was known around our school and the neighborhood by her then-married name, which, because of the divorce, no longer applied. When I was over at their house, shortly after that, and addressed her about something, she turned to me and said, "call me Mommy-baby!"

I've never forgotten that. She even mentored me when I was starting my career, for which I'll always be no-shit-drop-dead- tremendously grateful. And yeah, one of those times at her house, she taught me how to do eye makeup.

[NH Ethylene]

24. When I was a little girl and watching reruns of Lassie,

I loved her and wished she was my mother. (My own mother was stern and cold).