June Lockhart

Lockhart appeared as a hostess on the "Miss USA Pageant" on CBS for six years, the "Miss Universe Pageant" on CBS for six years, the "Tournament of Roses Parade" on CBS for eight years and the "Thanksgiving Parade" on CBS for five years.

From "Confessions of a TV 'Space' Mom" by Steve Bornfeld, NEW YORK POST, August 15, 1994:If you're wondering how Lockhart has been allowed to attend White House press briefings for years, she explains that she knew Dwight Eisenhower's press secretary and asked him for press credentials--and he obliged. They're still valid, and she still uses them."A year ago, it was my birthday, and a group of my special pals [the reporters] stood around in a semi-circle. To have them sing 'Happy Birthday' to me at a White House briefing was so great!" says Lockhart, who even asked a question once, at a Bush administration briefing. "It was when Millie [The First Dog] was pregnant," she says. "I put up my hand and said, 'Who is the First Vet?"

Biography

If America had a Mom, she would probably be June Lockhart. Few can convey maternal munificence with the conviction of this ever perky, poised and pretty player of stage, film and especially TV. Lockhart grew from child player to ingenue in supporting roles in "A" pictures and leads in "B" movies. The daughter of character actors Gene and Kathleen Lockhart, she made her stage debut at age eight and entered films at age 12 with the 1938 version of "A Christmas Carol" (in which her parents also acted). Lockhart won acclaim on the NYC stage in the late 40s, honed her craft on early live TV (gaining a 1952 Emmy nod for Best Actress) and found stardom playing warmly nurturing mothers on TV in the late 50s and 60s, most indelibly on "Lassie" (CBS, 1968-64) and "Lost in Space" (CBS, 1965-68).

The young Lockhart first registered in movies as the older brother's charming girlfriend whom Judy Garland initially misjudges in Vincente Minnelli's classic "Meet Me in St. Louis" (1944). Her future beckoned as she played second fiddle to both a remarkable canine and her leading man (Peter Lawford) in the rousing WWII-era sequel "Son of Lassie" (1945). In her first starring role, Lockhart acquitted herself well as a woman manipulated to think herself the "She Wolf of London" (1946), a minor but mildly diverting thriller. She also provided sturdy support to a crime-fighting hubby in "T-Men" (1947), an exceedingly stylish noir outing from director Anthony Mann.

After frequent TV appearances as a dramatic anthology player, game show panelist and "women's show" guest hostess, Lockhart made her first serious bid for pop culture immortality by joining the long-running (CBS, 1954-1971) children's classic "Lassie" in 1958. As Ruth Martin, she was half of a childless couple that adopts the lovable runaway orphan Timmy (Jon Provost) and the courageous collie. Lockhart helped guide the duo's adventures for six years, garnering a 1958/59 Emmy nomination for Best Actress in a Continuing Performance in a Dramatic Series. She had plentiful adventures of her own as the mother of the Space Family Robinson in the campy sci-fi classic "Lost in Space." Her Maureen Robinson managed to preserve her family's values in the most outlandish situations with a reassuring word, a smile and a slice of her "space pie." She also displayed a wholesome devotion to her man, the hunky Professor Robinson (Guy Williams), and a remarkable tolerance for the self-centered Dr. Smith (Jonathan Harris). Lockhart finished out the 60s, playing "a lady M.D.," Dr. Janet Craig, on the last two seasons of gently rustic sitcom hit "Petticoat Junction" (CBS, 1968-70). She also began long stints as a hostess on several major beauty pageants and parades covered by CBS.

Lockhart spent the 70s in TV-movies, miniseries, a children's series and some busted pilots. The 80s brought more of the same, as well as stints on daytime and primetime soaps, notably playing Maria Ramirez, a kindly matriarch on ABC's daytime drama "General Hospital." Lockhart began popping up in small feature roles, generally in genre outings, that played upon her wholesome maternal image. She was the mother of scientist Paul Le Mat in "Strange Invaders" (1983), an engaging tribute to 50s sci-fi. "Troll" (1986), a passable knock-off of 1984's "Gremlins," found her playing a heroic witch who battles trolls in her enchanted apartment building. Lockhart also provided colorful cameos for "The Big Picture" and "CHUD II: Bud the Chud" (both 1989). She continued to work on stage, even touring nationally with "Steel Magnolias" from 1989 to 1990.

Lockhart has remained busy in the 90s, appearing on TV periodically in guest shots ("Roseanne"; "The Critic"; "Step By Step") and nostalgic specials. Her only feature credit in the first half of the 90s was a small part in the indie romantic drama "Sleep With Me" (1994). Lockhart has worked as a corporate spokesman for several organizations and has served on numerous committees and boards.

Filmography

Life Events

1934

Made stage debut at age eight (date approximate)

1938

Made feature debut at age 12 (with her parents), "A Christmas Carol"

1944

Featured in a significant supporting role in Vincente Minnelli's "Meet Me in St. Louis"

1945

First female lead in a film, "Son of Lassie"

1946

First starring role in a film, "She Wolf of London"

1947

Broadway debut, played Janet in "For Love or Money"; won several awards for the performance including the Tony for Best Debut, Theatre World and Woman of the Year in Drama from the Associated Press

1949

Appeared as Amy March in a live TV production of "Little Women" on "Ford Theatre" (CBS)

1952

Appeared as a panelist on "Who Said That?" (first on NBC, later on ABC), a live gameshow based on quotations from the news

1961

Appeared as a panelist in the pilot for "Password", the popular word gameshow

1963

Appeared as Ruth Martin in "Lassie's Greatest Adventure", a theatrical feature comprised of four edited TV episodes

1970

TV-movie debut, "But I Don't Want to Get Married!"

1975

Returned to features after nearly 20 years to play a supporting role in "Deadly Games/Who Fell Asleep?", a mystery feature (shelved until 1983)

1978

Miniseries acting debut, "Loose Change", an NBC drama

1981

Played a supporting role in "Butterfly", an infamous Pia Zadora vehicle ostensibly adapted from James M. Cain's novel

1984

Began appearing in the recurring role of Maria Ramirez on the popular daytime soap "General Hospital"

1986

Provided a voice for "Pound Puppies", an animated children's series

1989

Appeared in "The New Lassie", a syndicated revival

1994

Hosted "The Story of Lassie", a PBS documentary special

1995

Provided a voice for "The Critic", an animated sitcom

1995

Hosted "The Fantasy Worlds of Irwin Allen", a two-hour documentary special on the Sci-Fi Channel

Photo Collections

Son of Lassie - Movie Poster

Here is the American one-sheet movie poster for Son of Lassie (1945). One-sheets measured 27x41 inches, and were the poster style most commonly used in theaters.