June Lockhart, best known for her roles as Ruth Martin in Lassie and Maureen Robinson in Lost in Space, died on October 23, 2025, at her home in Santa Monica, California. She passed away of natural causes, surrounded by her daughter, June Elizabeth, and granddaughter, Christianna.[1][2][3]
Career Highlights
June Lockhart was best known for her role as Ruth Martin on *Lassie* (1958–1964), where she appeared in over 200 episodes and earned an Emmy nomination. She also starred as Maureen Robinson in *Lost in Space* (1965–1968), becoming an iconic TV mother figure admired by many generations.[1][2][4]
Lassie (1958–1964)
Lockhart became a household name playing Ruth Martin, the nurturing mother figure in Lassie. She was the third actress to assume this role and worked with several collie dogs during her tenure on the show, which aired from 1954 to 1974.[7][1]
Lost in Space (1965–1968)
Her portrayal of Maureen Robinson, mother to a space colony family, earned her iconic status among sci-fi fans. Lockhart cherished this role and was proud to have inspired future astronauts, often interacting with NASA personnel as a spokesperson.[3][4][1]
Petticoat Junction (1970–1971)
She expanded her television repertoire by joining the cast for the final two seasons, playing Dr. Janet Craig, demonstrating her range beyond maternal roles.[3][7]
Early Life and Additional Work
- Born June 25, 1925, in New York City, Lockhart was the daughter of actors Gene and Kathleen Lockhart.[2][1][7]
- Began acting at age 8 with a role at the Metropolitan Opera in Peter Ibbetson (1933).[1][3]
- Made her film debut alongside her parents in MGM’s A Christmas Carol (1938).[2][1]
- Won a Tony Award (then known as Best Newcomer) for the Broadway play For Love or Money in 1947, the first winner of that award category.[1][3]
- Acted in films such as Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) and held various roles in soap operas and voice work for animated films.[7][3]
Personal Life and Legacy
- Married twice; first marriage to F. Honeysuckle (1951–1959) with whom she had two daughters, later divorced.[4][7]
- Passionate about journalism, politics, science, and a public advocate of NASA.[4][3]
- Known for balancing her on-screen maternal persona with a personal life that included adventurous activities like operating Army tanks and hot air balloons.[6]
- Funeral services will be private; the family requested donations to The Actors Fund and other charitable causes in lieu of flowers.[4]
June Lockhart’s impact stretched beyond television screens into inspiring generations, especially with her NASA advocacy and beloved motherly roles that shaped early American TV.
