A Celebration Of The Beloved Actress

Today we wish June Lockhart, the veteran actress and television icon a Happy 100th Birthday!

Naturally, we immediately think of June Lockhart for her roles as TV mothers. First there was Ruth Martin in Lassie, young Timmy’s (Jon Provost) Mom from 1958 to 1964. Ms. Lockhart replaced Cloris Leachman (who in turn replaced Jan Clayton). Then there was Maureen Robinson in Lost in Space, mother to Judy (Marta Kristen), Penny (Angela Cartwright) and Will (Bill Mumy) from 1965 to 1968. And, finally, Janet Craig, the surrogate Mom of sorts to Billie Jo (Meredith MacRae), Bobbie Jo (Lori Saunders) and Betty Jo (Linda Kaye Henning) following the passing of Bea Benaderet in rural-themed sitcom Petticoat Junction from 1968 to 1970.

But let’s go back to the beginning when June Lockhart made her film debut at age 13 opposite her parents – Gene and Kathleen Lockhart – in a film version of A Christmas Carol in 1938. Numerous other films followed in her teen years, including All This, and Heaven Too (1940), Adam Had Four Sons (1941), Sergeant York (1941), Miss Annie Rooney (1942) and the Judy Garland musical Meet Me in St. Louis (1944). And a glimpse into her future, perhaps, came in 1945 in The Son of Lassie.

Lockhart is also a stage actress, particularly in the play For Love or Money, where she was cited as a “promising movie actress in her own right” and received a special Tony Award for Outstanding Performance by a Newcomer in 1948. And she launched her lengthy career on television with a guest spot in the dramatic anthology Appointment with Adventure in 1955.

There were dozens of TV guest role until Lockhart debuted for the first of 208 episodes on Lassie in 1958. In 1964, one year prior to Lost in Space, she appeared in Perry Mason, Bewitched, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, and The Man From U.N.C.L.E. More guest spots followed throughout the course of Lockhart’s lengthy acting career, including on Happy Days, Magnum, P.I., Falcon Crest, Knots Landing, Hotel, Full House, Roseanne, The Drew Carey Show and Grey’s Anatomy.

Lockhart also appeared on ABC daytime soap General Hospital in the recurring role as Maria Ramirez. She was a voice actress, providing the voice of Martha Day, the lead character in the Hanna-Barbera animated series These Are the Days on ABC during the 1970s. She was active as a celebrity participant on the game show circuit (which included Password, The Match Game, I’ve Got a Secret and What’s My Line?). And she appeared as a hostess on the Miss USA Pageant on CBS for six years, the Miss Universe Pageant on CBS for six years, the Tournament of Roses Parade on CBS for eight years, and the Thanksgiving Parade on CBS for five years.

Lockhart has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one for motion pictures and one for television. And, in 2021, she returned to her Lost in Space roots as the voice of Alpha Control in an episode of the reboot on Netflix.

Here’s to you, Mrs. Robinson! And a very Happy 100th Birthday!