Only about three out of every 10,000 Americans will reach the age of 100. Included in that rare longevity category is actress June Lockhart who tips the century mark on June 25 this year.
“I can’t believe it either!” she told me recently.
And no, it’s not merely coincidence she shares a name with her birth month. Parents Gene and Kathleen Lockhart were both actors who married in June 1924 in Chicago. The following year, their only child was born – also in June.
“They were expecting a boy who was to be named Gene Jr., so my being a girl was quite a surprise,” June explained. “My birth certificate reads ‘Female Lockhart!’ They later chose June as my name because it was a significant month in their lives.”
Throughout the 30s, 40s, and 50s, June’s mother was cast in minor roles for some 40 movies (about the same number of films that June appeared in) while her father became one of the best-loved character actors during the classic film era, appearing in more than 120 movies over the same period.
Not surprisingly perhaps, her parents encouraged their daughter to take an interest in the arts.
“They were perfectly happy with whatever I wanted to do,” she recalled. “But they knew music, dance, and art would be a good background and I made my debut dancing at the age of 8. I also had piano lessons which I hated and told my father to save his money, telling him ‘Daddy, it’s just not me!’”
Fortunately, she found her calling in acting and developed a deep love for the stage earning a Tony Award for “Outstanding Performance by a Newcomer” for her 1947 Broadway debut at just 22 in “For Love or Money.” Her first screen role came even earlier – appearing alongside her parents in the 1938 adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” when just 13 years old. But it was television where June truly made her lasting mark especially in two series playing beloved TV moms – “Lassie” (1958-1964) and “Lost in Space” (1965-1968).
“I applied my own maternal instinct in both of these shows,” she explained. “I am that lady who talks it through if there is a problem and comforts if someone is upset.”
During her three seasons on “Lost in Space,” there were certainly cast issues at times, notably dealing with co-star Jonathan Harris (Dr. Smith) who, along with Bill Mumy (Will Robinson) and the show’s iconic Robot, became the prominent characters throughout the series. According to June, Harris had “a wicked sense of humor” but I’ll leave her further thoughts on that topic for another time!
Like many sci-fi shows from the 1960s, “Lost in Space” remains popular with older fans who first discovered it in their childhood. Of course, it’s dated now like many series of the era, but its legacy remains alive through conventions, blogs, and online communities. In another 100 years when those with a personal nostalgic connection to the series are gone, will future generations look fondly on it?
“I think the show will be a quaint and humorous look back at the notion of space exploration and what family life might be like in space,” noted June.
Naturally, family life for June growing up was rather unique since sharing the same profession with both parents creates a special family bond. Although her mother lived to see her daughter’s later television success, her father died in 1957 never witnessing his daughter’s involvement in three hit TV series from the 1960s (June also appeared in over 45 episodes of “Petticoat Junction”).
“He died before I started ‘Lassie’ which I’m certain he would have enjoyed and I think he would have liked ‘Lost in Space,’ too,” she said. “I know he would have written notes to me on the work! But I did appear in a lot of shows before those – ‘Kraft Theatre,” “Studio One,” and many other series and films that he saw and enjoyed.”
When asked about her own first 100 years and if she felt any professional regrets, June says there were none. “My philosophy has always been the ‘right things’ will come to you. I am lucky that I was able to work with so many talented actors and directors.”
And despite her long and varied career, June (like her father) never penned an autobiography.
“A lot of people have suggested I sit down and write about my life,” she says, “but I’ve just been too busy out there living it!”
Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery in Alabama and has written features, columns, and interviews for many newspapers and magazines. His book, “Raised by the Stars: Interviews with 29 Children of Hollywood Actors,” featured a lengthy interview with June Lockhart talking about her father.
See www.getnickt.org.
