June Lockhartone of television’s most beloved matriarchs, has died at the age of 100. According to her family, Lockhart passed away peacefully at her home in Santa Monica, California, on October 23, 2025, surrounded by her daughter June Elizabeth and granddaughter Christianna.
The Tony Award–winning actress was best known for her roles as Ruth Martin in Lassie and Maureen Robinson in Lost in Spacewhich made her a timeless symbol of warmth, wit, and grace. Following the news, tributes poured in from her former co-stars. Angela Cartwrightwho played her daughter Penny on Lost in Spacewrote, “So smart, quick, and funny — she filled her 100 years with curiosity, laughter, and rock ’n’ roll.” Meanwhile, Lassie actor Jon Provost remembered her as “another movie and television icon,” adding in his statement“June kept in touch all these years after Lassie. Love you, June — I’ll miss you a bunch.”
Learn more about her below.
June Lockhart Made Her Stage Debut as a Child Actress
Born in New York City on June 25, 1925, to actor-parents Gene Lockhart and Kathleen Lockhartshe stepped on stage at age 8 in a production of Peter Ibbetson at the Metropolitan Opera. Only a few years later, she made her film debut in A Christmas Carol (1938), acting alongside her parents.
“I thought my parents were wonderful as the Cratchits, and it was just great fun to see how a film was made,” Lockhart said to the Ames Tribune in 2014. “I loved the Victorian costumes.”
She Starred as the Beloved TV Mom in Lassie
Lockhart joined Lassie in 1958, portraying Ruth Martin—the kind, dependable mother of Timmy Martin—for six years.
She Won a Tony Award Before Finding TV Fame
Lockhart won a Tony Award in 1948 for Outstanding Performance by a Newcomer for her role in For Love or Money.
She Was Married Twice and Had Two Daughters
Lockhart’s personal life featured two marriages. She first married Dr. John F. Maloney in 1951 and they had two daughters, Anne Kathleen and June Elizabeth. They divorced in 1959. That same year she married architect John Lindsay; they later divorced in 1970.
She Earned Two Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Lockhart’s contribution to both film and television was honored by two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame—one for motion pictures and one for television.
