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June Lockhart

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June Lockhart
Lockhart in 1947
Born (1925-06-25) June 25, 1925 (age 99)
New York City, U.S.
EducationWestlake School for Girls
OccupationActress
Years active1933–2021
Known for
Spouses
  • John F. Maloney
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1951; div. 1959)​
  • John Lindsay
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1959; div. 1970)​
Children2, including Anne Lockhart
Parents
AwardsSpecial Tony Award

June Lockhart (born June 25, 1925) is an American retired actress, beginning a film career in the 1930s and 1940s in such films as A Christmas Carol and Meet Me in St. Louis. She primarily acted in 1950s and 1960s television, and with performances on stage and in film. On two television series, Lassie and Lost in Space, she played mother roles. She also portrayed Dr. Janet Craig on the CBS television sitcom Petticoat Junction (1968–70). She is a two-time Emmy Award nominee[1][2] and a Tony Award winner. With a career spanning nearly 90 years, she is one of the last surviving actors from the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Early life

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Lockhart in Son of Lassie (1945)
Lockhart as Ruth Martin in Lassie (1963)

June Lockhart was born on June 25, 1925, in New York City, New York. She is the daughter of Canadian-American actor Gene Lockhart, who came to prominence on Broadway in 1933 in Ah, Wilderness!, and English-born actress Kathleen Lockhart (née Arthur).[3] Her grandfather was John Coates Lockhart, "a concert-singer".[4]

Lockhart attended the Westlake School for Girls in Beverly Hills, California.[5]

Film

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Lockhart made her film debut opposite her parents in a film version of A Christmas Carol in 1938.[6] She also played supporting parts in Meet Me in St. Louis; Sergeant York; All This, and Heaven Too; and The Yearling. She played a key role in Son of Lassie (1945), a concept that she revisited at length during the television series Lassie more than a dozen years later. She was the top-billed star of She-Wolf of London (1946).

Stage

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Lockhart debuted on stage at the age of 8, playing Mimsey in Peter Ibbetson, presented by the Metropolitan Opera.[7] In 1947, her acting in For Love or Money brought her out of her parents' shadow and gained her notice as "a promising movie actress in her own right." One newspaper article began, "June Lockhart has burst on Broadway with the suddenness of an unpredicted comet."[5]

In 1951, Lockhart starred in Lawrence Riley's biographical play Kin Hubbard opposite Tom Ewell.

Television

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In 1955, Lockhart appeared in an episode of CBS's Appointment with Adventure. About this time, she also made several appearances on NBC's legal drama Justice, based on case files of the Legal Aid Society of New York. In the late 1950s, Lockhart guest-starred in several popular television Westerns, including Wagon Train (in the episode "The Ricky and Laura Bell Story") and Cimarron City (in the episode "Medicine Man" with Gary Merrill) on NBC, and Gunsmoke, Have Gun – Will Travel, and Rawhide on CBS.

In 1958, Lockhart was the narrator for Playhouse 90's telecast of the George Balanchine version of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker, featuring Balanchine himself as Drosselmeyer, along with the New York City Ballet.

Lockhart played Maureen Robinson in the classic sci-fi series Lost in Space from 1965 to 1968.
The handprints of June Lockhart are in front of Hollywood Hills Amphitheater at Walt Disney World's Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park.

Lockhart is best known for her roles as TV mothers, first as Ruth Martin, the wife of Paul Martin (portrayed by Hugh Reilly) and the mother of Timmy Martin (played by Jon Provost) in the 1950s CBS series Lassie (a role that she played from 1958 to 1964). She replaced actress Cloris Leachman, who in turn had replaced Jan Clayton – who had played a similar character earlier in the series. Following her five-year run on Lassie, Lockhart made a guest appearance on Perry Mason as defendant Mona Stanton Harvey in "The Case of the Scandalous Sculptor". Lockhart then starred as Dr. Maureen Robinson in Lost in Space, which ran from 1965 to 1968 on CBS, opposite veteran actors Guy Williams and Jonathan Harris.

In 1965, Lockhart played librarian Ina Coolbrith, first poet laureate of California, in the episode "Magic Locket" of the syndicated Western series Death Valley Days. She then appeared as Dr. Janet Craig on the final two seasons of the CBS sitcom Petticoat Junction (1968–1970); her character was brought in to fill the void created after Bea Benaderet died during the run of the show. Lockhart was a regular in the ABC soap opera General Hospital during the 1980s and 1990s, and was also a voice actor, providing the voice of Martha Day, the lead character in the Hanna-Barbera animated series These Are the Days on ABC during the 1970s.

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.

In 1986, Lockhart appeared in the fantasy film Troll. The younger version of her character in that film was played by her daughter, Anne Lockhart. They had previously played the same woman at two different ages in the "Lest We Forget" episode of the television series Magnum, P.I. (1981). In 1991, Lockhart appeared as Miss Wiltrout, Michelle Tanner's kindergarten teacher on the TV sitcom Full House. She also had a cameo in the 1998 film Lost in Space, based on the television series in which she had starred 30 years earlier. In 2002, she appeared in two episodes of The Drew Carey Show as Lewis's mother, Misty Kiniski, alongside fellow TV mom Marion Ross, who played Drew's mother.

In 2004, Lockhart voiced the role of Grandma Emma Fowler in Focus on the Family's The Last Chance Detectives audio cases. Lockhart starred as James Caan's mother in an episode of Las Vegas, and has since guest-starred in episodes of Cold Case and Grey's Anatomy, in the 2007 ABC Family television film Holiday in Handcuffs, and in the 2007 feature film Wesley.

In February 2013, Lockhart began filming for Tesla Effect, a video game that combines live-action footage with three-dimensional graphics, which was released in May 2014.

Recognition

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Lockhart in 2009

In 1948, Lockhart received a Special Tony Award for Outstanding Performance by a Newcomer (a category that no longer exists) for her role on Broadway in For Love or Money.[8] Lockhart donated her Tony Award to the Smithsonian Institution in 2008 for display in the museum's permanent entertainment archives.[citation needed]

Lockhart was nominated for 2 Emmy awards. In 1953, she was nominated for Best Actress.[1] In 1959, she was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role (Continuing Character) in a Dramatic Series for her role in Lassie. [2]

Lockhart has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one for motion pictures (6323 Hollywood Boulevard) and one for television (6362 Hollywood Boulevard). Both were dedicated on February 8, 1960.[9] In 2013, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded her the Exceptional Public Achievement Medal for inspiring the public about space exploration.[citation needed]

Personal life

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In 1951, Lockhart married John F. Maloney. They had two daughters, Anne Kathleen and June Elizabeth. The couple divorced in 1959.[10] She married architect John Lindsay that same year, but they divorced in October 1970 and she has not remarried. A Roman Catholic, Lockhart, her daughter Anne and actress Kay Lenz met Pope John Paul II in 1985.[11][12][13]

Lockhart has had a lifelong fascination with American presidential candidates and the media's coverage of them. Her reporter friend Merriman Smith arranged for her to travel with both major-party candidates in the 1956 presidential election, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Adlai Stevenson. She again traveled with both campaigns in the 1960 election. In 1957, she obtained a lifetime White House press pass and attended many presidential briefings until 2004.[14]

Despite the fact that she is a child of the Greatest Generation, Lockhart embraced rock music and she spontaneously listened to music which was produced by emerging rock bands. In numerous interviews, her Lost in Space co-star Bill Mumy stated that she took him and Angela Cartwright to concerts at the Whisky a Go Go in Hollywood. She was a noted David Bowie fan, and frequently kept a picture of him in her wallet.[15] In 1970, on The Virginia Graham Show, Lockhart, along with actor Art Metrano and LGBT cleric Troy Perry, called out Graham's moralizing tone towards homosexuals.[16]

Filmography

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Films

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Year Film Role Notes
1938 A Christmas Carol Belinda Cratchit
1940 All This, and Heaven Too Isabelle
1941 Adam Had Four Sons Vance
Sergeant York Rosie York
1942 Miss Annie Rooney Stella Bainbridge
1943 Forever and a Day Girl in Air Raid Shelter Alternate title: The Changing World
1944 Meet Me in St. Louis Lucille Ballard
The White Cliffs of Dover Betsy Kenney at Age 18 uncredited
1945 Keep Your Powder Dry Sarah Swanson
Son of Lassie Priscilla
1946 She-Wolf of London Phyllis Allenby
1947 Bury Me Dead Barbara Carlin
It's a Joke, Son! Marylou Claghorn
T-Men Mary Genaro
1957 Time Limit Mrs. Cargill
1981 Peter-No-Tail Mother Voice, English version
1982 Butterfly Mrs. Helen Gillespie
Deadly Games Marge Lawrence
Aladdin and the Magic Lamp Aladdin's Mother Voice, English version
1983 Strange Invaders Mrs. Bigelow
1986 Troll Eunice St. Clair
1988 Rented Lips Archie's Mother
1989 C.H.U.D. II: Bud the C.H.U.D. Gracie
The Big Picture Janet Kingsley
1991 Dead Women in Lingerie Ma
1994 Sleep with Me Caroline
Tis the Season Mrs. Livingston
1998 Lost in Space Principal Cartwright
1999 Deterrence Secretary of State Clift
2000 The Thundering 8th Margaret Howard
2001 One Night at McCool's Bingo Player Uncredited
2009 Wesley Susanna Wesley
Super Capers Mother
2012 Zombie Hamlet Hester Beauchamps
2016 The Remake Irene O'Connor
2019 Bongee Bear and the Kingdom of Rhythm Mindy the Owl

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1949 The Ford Theatre Hour Amy March 1 episode
1952 Hallmark Hall of Fame Dolly Madison[17] Episode: Mistress of the White House
1956 Science Fiction Theatre Eve Patrick 1 episode
1957 The Joseph Cotten Show Julie Baggs 1 episode
The Kaiser Aluminum Hour Verna 1 episode
Have Gun – Will Travel Dr. Phyllis Thackeray 2 episodes
1958 Shirley Temple's Storybook Beauty's Sister 1 episode
Wagon Train Sarah Drummond 1 episode
Matinee Theater Connie 1 episode
Gunsmoke Beulah 1 episode
Playhouse 90 Narrator 1 episode
1958–1964 Lassie Ruth Martin 200 episodes
1959 Rawhide Rainy Dawson 1 episode
General Electric Theater Vera 1 episode
1960 Wagon Train Laura Bell 1 episode
1964 Perry Mason Mona Stanton Harvey 1 episode
Bewitched Mrs. Burns 1 episode
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea Dr. Ellen Bryce 1 episode
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Sarah Taub 1 episode
1965 Branded Mrs. Sue Pritchett 1 episode
The Magic Locket Miss Ina Coolbrith Episode 44
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour Martha Hunter Episode: "The Second Wife"
Mr. Novak Mrs. Nelby Episode: "Once a Clown"
1965–1968 Lost in Space Maureen Robinson 84 episodes
1968–1970 Petticoat Junction Dr. Janet Craig 45 episodes
1968 Family Affair Miss Evans 3 episodes
1971 The Man and the City Ellen Lewis 1 episode
1974 Marcus Welby, M.D. Lila 1 episode
Adam-12 Mrs. Whitney Episodes: "Camp" Part 1 & 2
1975 Ellery Queen Claudia Wentworth 1 episode
New Zoo Revue Penelope Potter 1 episode
1976 Happy Days Judge McKay 1 episode
Quincy, M.E. Clara Rhoades 1 episode
1978 The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries Mrs. Migley 1 episode
1981 Vega$ Dr. Michaels 1 episode
Magnum, P.I. Diane Westmore Pauley 1 episode
Darkroom Margo Haskell 1 episode
1982 Falcon Crest Mara Wingate 1 episode
Knots Landing Hilda Grant 1 episode
1981 The Greatest American Hero Alice Davidson 2 episodes
1984 Whiz Kids Mrs. Butterfield 1 episode
The Night They Saved Christmas Mrs. Claus 1 episode
1985 Murder, She Wrote Beryl Hayward 1 episode
1986 The Colbys Dr. Sylvia Heywood 2 episodes
Hotel Betty Archer 1 episode
Amazing Stories Mildred 1 episode
1987 Pound Puppies Aunt Millie 1 episode
1989 The New Lassie Mrs. Chadwick 1 episode
1991 Full House Miss Wiltrout 2 episodes
1992 Danger Island Kate TV movie
1992; 1993 General Hospital Maria 14 episodes
1993 The John Larroquette Show John's mother 1 episode
1994 The Mommies Bev – Barb's Mom 1 episode
Babylon 5 Dr. Laura Rosen 1 episode
'Tis The Season: A Hawaiian Christmas Story Mrs. Livingston Television film
The Ren & Stimpy Show Dr. Brainchild's Mother 1 episode
1995 The Critic Herself 1 episode
The Colony Mrs. Billingsley Television film
Duckman Oppressed Wife 1 episode
Roseanne Leon's mother 1 episode
Out There Donna Television film
1996 Step by Step Helen Lambert 3 episodes
1997 7th Heaven Veterinarian 1 episode
Beverly Hills, 90210 Celia Martin 4 episodes
2001 Au Pair II Grandma Nell Grayson Television film
2002 The Drew Carey Show Misty Kiniski 2 episodes
2003 Andy Richter Controls the Universe Grandma Evelyn 1 episode
2004 Complete Savages Grammy Na-Na 2 episodes
2004 Las Vegas Grandma Deline 1 episode
2006 Grey's Anatomy Agnes 1 episode
2006 Cold Case Muriel Bartleby 1 episode
2007 Holiday in Handcuffs Grandma Television film
2021 Lost in Space June, aka the Voice of Alpha Control 1 episode; Netflix series

References

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  1. ^ a b "Best Actress Nominees / Winners 1953". Television Academy. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series Nominees / Winners 1959". Television Academy. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  3. ^ "A Star Is Born". Life. November 24, 1947. p. 59. ISSN 0024-3019.
  4. ^ Maays, Stan (February 15, 1970). "June Lockhart Jr. To Make TV Debut". Abilene Reporter-News. p. 5E. Retrieved March 13, 2020 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  5. ^ a b Meegan, Jean (November 23, 1947). "Winsome June Lockhart Draws Broadway 'Raves'". Corpus Christi Caller-Times. p. 3B. Retrieved September 26, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  6. ^ "Photo Flash: Legendary Leading Ladies Donate to National Museum of American History". BroadwayWorld. February 1, 2008. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  7. ^ Boyle, Hal (March 13, 1959). "Gene Lockhart Versatile Man". Florence Times. p. 5. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  8. ^ "Search Results: June Lockhart". Tony Awards. Archived from the original on July 25, 2017. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
  9. ^ "June Lockhart". Hollywood Walk of Fame. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
  10. ^ Gingrich, Arnold (1959). "Lockhart and Her Lassie". Coronet. 45: 14.
  11. ^ Stagnaro, Angelo (February 26, 2017). "Where the Stars Go to Pray: The Churches of Hollywood". National Catholic Register.
  12. ^ Belmond, Sylvie (April 7, 2005). "Locals reflect on the life of Pope John Paul II". Moorpark Acorn. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  13. ^ 7"Guideposts Classics: June Lockhart on Where She Prays". October 30, 2014.
  14. ^ Sanderson, Bill (August 7, 2016). "June Lockhart was America's greatest presidential groupie". Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  15. ^ "June Lockhart kept one picture in her wallet and you'll never guess who it was".
  16. ^ "Clips: 1970, June Lockhart gently challenges homophobia on THE VIRGINIA GRAHAM SHOW w/Rev Troy Perry". YouTube. June 25, 2023.
  17. ^ "CTVA US Anthology - "Hallmark Hall of Fame" Season 1 (1951-52)". ctva.biz. Retrieved March 7, 2023.

Further reading

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  • Thomas, Nick (2011). Raised by the Stars: Interviews with 29 Children of Hollywood Actors. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-6403-6. (Includes an interview with June Lockhart)
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