June Lockhart: TV’s Favorite Mom Also Had a Rock ’n’ Roll Side
June Lockhart, best remembered as the warm-hearted mom on Lost in Space, was affectionately dubbed a “rock ’n’ roll goddess” by her TV son, Bill Mumy — and for good reason.
The beloved actress, now 99, recently told Fox News Digital that when she wasn’t filming her iconic sci-fi show, she often turned up the volume and let loose with music. “I’ve always loved music,” she shared. “The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Chicago, David Bowie, Huey Lewis, Tina Turner — I’ve been a fan of them all.”
She fondly recalled a Halloween party she hosted in the late 1960s where she hired a band called Hour Glass to perform. “They were incredible,” she said. “Great guitars, amazing vocals… later on, they changed their name to The Allman Brothers Band!”
Bill Mumy also recalled how his TV mom had a deep appreciation for rock music. “She really loved it,” said the former child actor. “She brought Hour Glass to the studio, took Angela Cartwright and me to the Whisky a Go Go, and even got us tickets to see Simon & Garfunkel. She’s a true rock ‘n’ roll soul.”
Though life is sweet today, Lockhart admitted to dealing with some unfortunate issues. She recently became aware of imposters pretending to be her on Facebook, asking fans for money. “It was upsetting to discover,” she said. “I’m not on Facebook, Instagram, or X. I don’t use social media at all.”
Her team stepped in to issue firm warnings, and the fake account was eventually taken down. “I’m not shocked that someone tried to impersonate me — I know it’s happened to others too,” she said. While she appreciates the love fans continue to show for Lassie and Lost in Space, she cautioned that any profile claiming to be her is not real.
Despite the occasional drama, Lockhart is grateful to still be remembered so fondly. Known for her wholesome image, she said she was never drawn to risqué roles and was never pressured to alter her appearance. “I was never offered those kinds of parts,” she said, adding with a smile, “and with that silver spacesuit, you’d better stay in shape.”
Music has been with Lockhart since childhood. She began performing onstage at the Metropolitan Opera in New York and made her film debut in 1938’s A Christmas Carol alongside her parents, Gene and Kathleen Lockhart. She also appeared in the 1944 classic Meet Me in St. Louis with Judy Garland.
Still, most fans remember her as Maureen Robinson on Lost in Space and as Ruth Martin, Timmy’s mom on Lassie.
“I was intrigued by the premise,” she said of Lost in Space. “It was about a group of scientists and two kids trying to survive after becoming stranded. It had a ‘Swiss Family Robinson’ feel to it. The cast was great — very professional, and we genuinely liked each other.”
Behind the scenes, there was plenty of humor too. “Some episodes were so silly, it was hard not to crack up,” she laughed. On Lassie, she quipped, “The only thing I ever cooked was a pot of water — but I stirred it like a pro!”
During downtime, she earned the title “Mistress of Scrabble,” thanks to her love of word games. “There’s a lot of waiting on set, and I loved using that time for strategy and fun.”
Lockhart still keeps in touch with her former TV children — Bill Mumy, Angela Cartwright, Marta Kristen, and Jon Provost from Lassie. “They’re all such talented, wonderful people,” she said. “I’m very fond of them.”
One of her proudest moments was being recognized by NASA for her impact on inspiring interest in space. “I’ve been told that I helped motivate some astronauts to pursue careers in science and exploration. It’s lovely to know that just by following my own interests, I could inspire others.”
When Lost in Space ended in 1968, Lockhart felt it was the natural conclusion. “I’ve always believed every job has its time,” she said. “Then you move on.”
Today, she says life is “sweet,” and she’s enjoying every day. Reflecting on her long career, she shared: “I loved acting, and I loved the people I worked with. But I always remembered — it’s all make-believe.”
