June Lockhart, the actress who had starring roles in beloved TV shows including Lassie and Lost in Space, has died at the age of 100, per People. Per the outlet, "The actress died on Thursday, Oct. 23, at 9:20 p.m. local time in Santa Monica, Calif., PEOPLE can confirm." She passed away from "natural causes" while with her granddaughter and daughter. Lockhart's family designated three organizations that people can donate to in her memory. They are ProPublica, International Hearing Dog, Inc., and The Actors Fund.
Videos by Wide Open Country
She had roles in movies and the small screen. Lockhart's film credits included Adam Had Four Sons, She-Wolf of London, A Christmas Carol, Sergeant York, and Meet Me in St. Louis. On TV, she is fondly remembered for shows such as Lost in Space and Lassie.
She was also in two Broadway plays, landing a Tony Award for her part in For Love or Money.
Lockhart's Mom and Dad Were Both Actors
A native of New York City, Lockhart started acting as a youngster. Her first stage part came when she was just 8, The actress' film debut came at the age of 13 in A Christmas Carol in 1938. Her parents were also in the production. She said per the outlet via the Ames Tribune eleven years ago, "I thought my parents were wonderful as the Cratchits, and it was just great fun to see how a film was made. I loved the Victorian costumes."
On later years, Lockhart recalled that classic holiday movie warmly. "We used to perform it every Christmas at home for our dinner guests. So I had already appeared in it, with my parents, in our living room for many years prior to doing it for MGM." She added, "...[H]er family particularly loved that her first-ever words in a movie were 'I know, I know — sausages,' explaining, 'It's become a family joke, and we all shriek with laughter when we watch it now.'"
Her Career in Television Began in the Late 1940s
Lockhart gravitated to Westerns at first. Per the outlet via the Burlington County Times ten years ago, she shared this thought, "I loved the period costumes with the long gowns and their cinched-in waists. The stories were also marvelously written and could be quite provocative for their time."
Lockhart's role in Lassie, an iconic TV drama, earned her a pair of Emmy nominations. In the mid 1960s, she has another well-known role in Lost in Space. That show aired from 1965 to 1968.
She also appeared in any other TV shows. They included General Hospital, Full House, Knots Landing, and Murder, She Wrote.
The Actress Wasn't Like the Sedate Moms She Often Portrayed
Per People via the Chicago Tribune in 1994, Lockhart explained this. "I love rock 'n' roll and going to concerts. I have driven army tanks and flown in hot-air balloons....I do lots of things that don't go hand-in-hand with my image."
She was married from 1951 to 1959 and had two daughters.
