Actor June Lockhart of Lost in Space and Lassie fame dies aged 100 | Television
Popular actress June Lockhart, known for her work in film and television, has passed away at the age of 100.
He died of natural causes on Thursday night, alongside his daughter June Elizabeth and granddaughter Christianna. People.
“He was very happy until the end because he read the New York Times and the LA Times every day. It was very important for him to stay focused on the news of the day,” family spokesman Lyle Gregory, a friend of 40 years, told the Associated Press.
Born in New York in 1925, Lockhart was the daughter of actors Gene and Kathleen Lockhart. She made her stage debut at the age of eight in Peter Ibbetson’s Metropolitan Opera production. Her film debut came in 1938’s A Christmas Carol, playing Bob Cratchit’s daughter.
He appeared on Broadway in For Love or Money in 1947 and in The Grand Prix in 1955. His performance in For Love or Money earned him a special Tony award in 1948 for outstanding performance by a newcomer.
The actor began his television career in 1949 with guest appearances on shows such as Hallmark Hall of Fame, Shirley Temple’s Storybook, Wagon Train and Gunsmoke. Over nearly 80 years in the entertainment industry, she has continued to work steadily, appearing on shows such as Petticoat Junction, General Hospital, Beverly Hills 90210, The Beverly Hillbillies, Happy Days, Full House, Roseanne, and Grey’s Anatomy.
Beginning in 1958, he gained particular fame with his leading role in Lassie. From 1965 to 1968, he played the patriarch of a family of space explorers in Lost in Space. Years later, he did a voice-over cameo in Netflix’s reboot of the same series in 2021.
talk with NPR In 2004, Lockhart reflected on how the Lost in Space series inspired viewers: “People would tell him that watching Lost in Space inspired them to become scientists. I did Lassie for six years, and no one ever came up to me and said, ‘It made me want to be a farmer.'”
Lockhart received two Emmy nominations for her role as Lassie, including the award for best actress in a lead role in a dramatic series. He was honored with two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one for cinema and the other for television.
She married John F. Maloney in 1951. The couple had two daughters, Anne and June Elizabeth, before they divorced in 1959.
Funeral services will be held privately. In lieu of sending flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Actors Fund, ProPublica and International Hearing Dog Inc.
