Celebrating a Century: Remembering June Lockhart, Icon of Hollywood and TV

Hollywood bids farewell to June Lockhart, the beloved star of ‘Lassie’ and ‘Lost in Space,’ who passed away at 100.

A Star’s Passing

June Lockhart, a shimmering jewel of Hollywood’s Golden Age, departed this world at 9:20 p.m. on October 23, in Santa Monica, California, confirmed by PEOPLE. Lockhart’s demise was attributed to natural causes, and she spent her final moments with loved ones, flanked by her daughter, June Elizabeth, and her granddaughter, Christianna.

The family has planned a private funeral service, preferring donations to The Actors Fund, ProPublica, and International Hearing Dog, Inc. over floral tributes.

The Journey of an Icon

June Lockhart was more than just an actress; she was a piece of Hollywood’s living history. Her illustrious career spanned movies and television, featuring memorable roles in films like A Christmas Carol, Meet Me in St. Louis, and She-Wolf of London. Her TV career was also stellar, with starring moments on Lassie and Lost in Space, solidifying her as one of the enduring figures from a golden era.

Early Life and Career Inspiration

Born in 1925 in New York City to actor parents Gene and Kathleen Lockhart, June was destined for the stage. Her debut came at 8 years old with the Metropolitan Opera’s Peter Ibbetson. By 1938, she was on screen in A Christmas Carol, playing alongside her parents as a young Victorian girl.

“I thought my parents were wonderful as the Cratchits, and it was just great fun to see how a film was made,” Lockhart recounted in a 2014 interview with the Ames Tribune. Her family reminisced over her character’s first line,