June Lockhart, TV’s Iconic Mother Figure, Remembered for Her Century-Long LegacySANTA
MONICA, Calif. — June Lockhart, the beloved actress who embodied grace, resilience, and maternal warmth in some of television’s most cherished roles, passed away on October 23 at her home in Santa Monica. She was 100.
Lockhart’s family confirmed she died of natural causes, surrounded by her daughter June Elizabeth and granddaughter Christianna. Her representative, Harlan Boll, shared the news in a statement to USA TODAY.
For millions of viewers, Lockhart was more than just an actress—she was America’s mother. As Ruth Martin, the gentle and wise matriarch on CBS’s Lassie, she guided audiences through heartfelt family tales in the 1950s and 1960s. Later, she ventured into the cosmos as Maureen Robinson on Lost in Space, embodying a new kind of mother figure—intelligent, brave, and forward-thinking.
“June was one of a kind—talented, nurturing, adventurous, and uncompromising,” wrote her Lost in Space co-star Bill Mumy in a tribute post. “She did it her way. June will always be one of my very favorite moms.”
Born in New York City on June 25, 1925, Lockhart’s Hollywood roots ran deep. The daughter of actors Gene and Kathleen Lockhart, she made her film debut alongside them in the 1938 classic A Christmas Carol. Her early career included roles in Sergeant York, Meet Me in St. Louis, and The Yearling, marking her as one of the last living links to Hollywood’s Golden Age.
Lockhart’s achievements spanned stage and screen. She won a Tony Award for Best Newcomer in 1947 for her Broadway debut in For Love or Money and later brought warmth to roles on Petticoat Junction, General Hospital, and even Beverly Hills, 90210.
In a 2024 interview with Closer magazine, Lockhart affectionately called Lost in Space her favorite project. “It was so campy,” she said with a laugh. “And I truly enjoyed my relationship with my space family.”
Fans and colleagues have flooded social media with tributes, celebrating her as a trailblazer for women in entertainment who seamlessly bridged eras—from black-and-white television to modern pop culture nostalgia.
The family has requested that donations in her honor be made to The Actors Fund, ProPublica, or International Hearing Dog, Inc., causes reflecting her lifelong dedication to advocacy, truth, and compassion.
