June Lockhart, Old Hollywood legend and ‘Lassie’ star, passes away

June Lockhart has died a centurion — the beloved actress of several hits from the Golden Age of Hollywood, like Lassie and Meet Me in St. Louis, breathed her last on October 23.

The Tony Award-winning star passed away at her Santa Monica residence, surrounded by her loved ones, a daughter June Elizabeth and granddaughter Christianna.

Lockhart started her acting career at a tender age, appearing onstage at the Metropolitan Opera House in a production of Peter Ibbetson, when she was only eight years old. Making her screen debut in 1938’s classic, A Christmas Carol, the late performer was a seasoned pro by the age of 19, at which point she became a contract player for MGM.

Recounting Lockhart’s legacy, her daughter’s statement revealed, “Mommy always considered acting as her craft, her vocation, but her true passions were journalism, politics, science, and NASA.”

Highlighting her mother’s appearance in the sci-fi TV series, Lost in Space, June Elizabeth added, “She cherished playing her role in ‘Lost in Space’ and she was delighted to know that she inspired many future astronauts, as they would remind her on visits to NASA. That meant even more to her than the hundreds of television and movie roles she played.”

Notably, June Lockhart also had a memorable cameo in Netflix’s 2021 reboot of the space themed show. While she is further remembered for playing Ruth Martin on Lassie, the beloved children’s series based on the titular female dog.