Popular actress June Lockhart, known for her roles in “Lassie” and “Lost in Space,” has reportedly passed away at the age of 100.
The actress died Thursday at 9:20 p.m. in Santa Monica, California, People confirmed on Saturday.
Lockhart reportedly died of natural causes, and her daughter June Elizabeth and granddaughter Christiana were “by her side at the time of her death,” the newspaper said.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Actors Fund, International Hearing Dogs Inc., or ProPublica.
The actress’ funeral will reportedly be held privately.
A native of New York City, Lockhart was born in the Big Apple in 1925 to actors Gene and Kathleen Lockhart.
She made her film debut at the age of 13 as Belinda Cratchit, Bob Cratchit’s daughter, in 1938’s A Christmas Carol. They played opposite the parents who played Cratchit and his wife in this iconic film.
She also appeared in the 1944 Christmas-themed film See You in St. Louis, opposite Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli.
Lockhart was cast as Ruth Martin in the popular TV series Lassie in 1958, taking over from Cloris Leachman, who passed away in 2021.
She continued to play the role until 1964 and received Emmy nominations for her work on the series in both 1953 and 1959.
Lockhart then appeared on the television series Lost in Space in 1965 and continued to appear on the show until 1968.
“I drew on my own maternal instincts in both shows,” she told Boomer magazine in June, the day of her 100th birthday.
“I’m the kind of woman who talks about a problem and comforts someone if they’re upset.”
When asked if she had any professional regrets during her long career, she said she was lucky.
“My philosophy is always that the ‘right thing’ comes to you,” she told the outlet. “I’m lucky to work with so many talented actors and directors.”
Lockhart had two daughters, Anne and June, with her first husband, John F. Maloney. The former couple were married from 1951 to 1959.
A prolific actress on stage, television and film, she later married architect John Lindsay in 1959 and divorced in 1970.
