Appreciation: Strong and warm, June Lockhart was a model of TV motherhood

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Growing up after World War II, it felt like everyone suddenly decided families should be these perfect, self-contained units. It was a strange time because so many women had stepped up and worked during the war, but then the message became they should go back home. That’s why TV was filled with moms! I remember watching shows with these incredible domestic goddesses – Barbara Billingsley as June Cleaver, Jane Wyatt on ‘Father Knows Best,’ Donna Reed, Harriet Nelson, and especially June Lockhart, who seemed to play a mom in everything, from ‘Lassie’ to that fun sci-fi show ‘Lost in Space’! They were always so put-together and focused on raising their kids, it was just the image everyone was pushing.

Known for her approachable beauty – wide eyes, a cheerful nose, and a radiant smile that people always remembered – actress June Lockhart, who passed away Thursday at the age of 100, often portrayed strong female characters with a practical and optimistic spirit. While the roles she was offered were sometimes limited by the expectations for women on television at the time, she consistently showed characters who could handle any situation. Though she could be firm or emotional, she was largely seen as dependable and reassuring – qualities many people look for in a mother figure.

June Lockhart is a name that seems tailor-made for her, and fittingly, she was born in June – on June 25, 1925. Both of her parents, Gene and Kathleen Lockhart, were actors, and she began her film career alongside them in a 1938 adaptation of “A Christmas Carol,” where they all played members of the Cratchit family.

Obituaries

June Lockhart, best known as the beloved TV mom from shows like ‘Lassie’ and ‘Lost in Space,’ has passed away. She was famous for her comforting presence as a mother figure, whether tending to her son and his dog or explaining the wonders of space to her children on screen.

Lockhart began her career as a jobbing actress in Hollywood, appearing in small but noticeable roles like a memorable scene in “Meet Me in St. Louis” and the lead in the quickly forgotten “She-Wolf of London.” She then worked in television, taking on guest roles in various episodes. In 1958, at age 33, she landed a regular role on “Lassie,” taking over from Cloris Leachman after one season. This coincided with the show’s shift from focusing on “Jeff’s Collie” to the more popular “Timmy and Lassie” format, and she remained with the series until it ended in 1973.

The series originated from the classic 1943 film “Lassie Come Home” and continued with the war-time sequel, “Son of Lassie,” where she played a love interest alongside Peter Lawford. It was the perfect example of heartwarming, feel-good television. Despite being a bit cheesy, it’s still surprisingly enjoyable to watch even after sixty years. In fact, I’ve been writing this piece much slower than usual because I kept getting pulled into re-watching it.

Jon Provost played Timmy, a sweet but often careless boy who frequently got into trouble. Lassie would usually have to rescue him by alerting his parents and leading them to his location. While the family faced other challenges, Timmy’s mishaps were a common occurrence. Ruth, though living on a farm, dressed and acted more like a typical suburban housewife, often wearing an apron and dress even when not cooking – suggesting she was either just in the kitchen or about to be. In one episode, she was thrilled with a new (but used) electric refrigerator, but Lassie refused to eat from it, prompting Ruth to jokingly complain about having two stubborn women in the house. Occasionally, when woken by an emergency, Ruth would be seen in a robe with her hair down. Seeing her unexpectedly doing actual farm work – like climbing an apricot tree in a sun hat – was surprisingly delightful.

Timmy also had a father figure – Paul, played by Hugh Reilly – though the show didn’t focus much on the fact that Timmy was a foster child. Paul didn’t become as well-known a character as Timmy’s guardian, Lockhart. Watching the show now, it’s striking how disconnected the dog (actually three different dogs during the show’s run) seems from Timmy; he often looks towards his trainer, almost like an actor reading lines. (Interestingly, while Lassie was portrayed as female, all the dogs who played her – including Pal, Lassie Junior, and others – were male.) Because Ruth was almost always present, she was the person Timmy interacted with the most, making “Lassie” essentially a story about a mother and son.

The casting of June Lockhart as Maureen Robinson in “Lost in Space” feels reminiscent of Ruth Martin from “Lassie,” who set the standard for television mothers. Like “Lassie,” “Lost in Space” features a mother with a young son who often finds trouble, and a non-human companion—the Robot—who tries to protect him. However, “Lost in Space” lacks the close-knit family feel of its predecessor. Too many characters interfere with Maureen’s role, and her son, Will, spends most of his time with the bumbling Dr. Smith, getting into increasingly ridiculous situations. Unlike the supportive husband in “Lassie,” Maureen’s husband, John Robinson, is a military officer who often acts like a commander even with his family. Though supposedly a biochemist, Maureen’s main duties on the spaceship involve gardening and cooking. She’s there to provide maternal care when needed, represent a mature female presence, offer gentle guidance, and generally bring warmth to the coldness of space. She doesn’t get enough to do, but she’s a vital part of the show.

In 1968, Lori Lockhart joined the cast of “Petticoat Junction” as the town’s new doctor. The show playfully addressed the novelty of a female physician, with a storyline taking three episodes for the residents of Hooterville to adjust to the idea. A revised theme song highlighted the cultural struggle to reconcile a woman’s beauty with her professional abilities. Following the end of “Lost in Space,” Lockhart took over the role of Dr. Janet Craig, replacing Bea Benaderet. Dr. Craig, part of the same comedic world as “The Beverly Hillbillies” and “Green Acres,” was presented as an independent, unmarried woman – a rarity for the time – and quickly became a maternal figure for the hotel owner’s adult daughters. Lockhart clearly enjoyed playing the cheerful doctor in this lighthearted series.

I’ve always been fascinated by June Lockhart’s career! It was wonderful to see her play a widowed mother in the 1974 animated series, “These Are the Days” – a really sweet, realistic look at family life back then. But she did so much more! She was a natural on screen, hosting everything from beauty pageants and the Rose and Macy’s parades, popping up on game shows, and becoming a familiar face on “General Hospital.” She was a constant presence on TV, with guest spots on shows like “Magnum P.I.”, “The Drew Carey Show”, and even “Grey’s Anatomy.” It was a fun little nod to see her original character reappear in the 1998 “Lost in Space” movie and then again in the 2018 Netflix reboot – Molly Parker did a great job, and the series is fantastic! But honestly, those actresses are building on the foundation June Lockhart created. She truly owned that space, and no one can ever take that away from her.

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2025-10-27 22:01