June Lockhart has been called a “rock ‘n’ roll goddess” by her TV son, Bill Mumy – and with good reason.
The “Lost in Space” star, who is still considered one of America’s beloved TV moms, was also known for her stellar performances outside of filming her hit sci-fi series.
The 99-year-old actress told Fox News Digital that she didn’t think twice about turning on the radio when the cameras turned off.
June Lockhart played Maureen Robinson on the TV show “Lost in Space.” (CBS via Getty Images)
“I’ve always been a music fan,” Lockhart said. “The Beatles, the Stones, Chicago, David Bowie, Huey Lewis and the News, Tina Turner… We had a Halloween party at my house in the late ’60s, and I hired a band called Hour Glass. They were great. Really talented guitar, keyboards and vocals… Then they changed their name “For the Allman Brothers Band!”
June Lockhart introduced her TV kids to the Allman Brothers Band, then known as Hourglass. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
“I hired a band called Hour Glass. They were fantastic. They had real talent on guitar, keyboards and vocals… then they changed their name to The Allman Brothers Band!”
Mumy previously told Fox News Digital that her TV mother gave her a good musical education.
“She loved rock ’n’ roll,” the 70-year-old former child star said. “She brought the Allman Brothers to the studio when they were in a group called Hourglass. She brought me and (co-star) Angela Cartwright. whiskey a go go. She got us tickets to see Simon & Garfunkel. June is a real rock ‘n’ roll girl.”
Former “Lost in Space” child star Bill Mumy (left) told Fox News Digital that his TV mother once brought the Allman Brothers to the studio. (Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
Life is “pleasant” for Lockhart these days, but it’s not without its problems. The star told Fox News Digital that she’s speaking out after scammers impersonating her on Facebook started asking fans for money.
“It was upsetting to find out about this,” Lockhart said. “I don’t participate in social media. I don’t use Facebook or Instagram. Definitely not X!
“My team wrote a very strong message on Facebook to the person who was using my image and likeness and impersonating me. After the second message, the Facebook page was taken down. I am not surprised that I was misrepresented, as has happened to other people as well.”
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June Lockhart is grateful that fans want to connect with her online, but she’s not on social media. (CBS via Getty Images)
“There are many fan pages, and there are still many people I love ‘Lassie’ and ‘Lost in Space.'” “I think their communication is good, but if somebody finds a page claiming to be my profile… it’s not authentic,” he said.
A Facebook spokesperson did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Lockhart said it was “awesome” that so many people still recognized her as their favorite TV mom. Despite having a secret rebellious side on set, she has always been proud of her squeaky-clean image. She has never been tempted to play any of the sexier roles in Hollywood, nor has she ever felt pressured to look a certain way.
June Lockhart said she was never tempted to adopt a sexier image in Hollywood. (CBS via Getty Images)
“I wasn’t offered those roles,” she said. “(And) I always eat carefully … in that silver spacesuit, you better stay in shape.”
Music has always been a part of Lockhart’s life. As a child she made her debut on the stage of New York’s Metropolitan Opera. She made her screen debut in 1938 with MGM’s “A Christmas Carol.” She appeared with her parents, actors Gene and Kathleen Lockhart.
She also appeared in “Meet Me in St. Louis” with Judy Garland in 1944. But many remember her best for playing the matriarch Maureen in “Lost in Space” and Timmy’s mother Ruth in the original “Lassie.”
“The plot of the series appealed to me,” Lockhart said of his participation in “Lost in Space.”
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June Lockhart on the set of “Lost in Space,” circa 1965. (CBS via Getty Images)
“It shows the family dynamics of a group of scientists and two kids and how they survive,” he said. “It was ‘Space Family Robinson,’ which was based on ‘Swiss Family Robinson.’ . . . All my co-stars were consummate professionals. It was a very happy set, with lots of laughter and a real affection between us.”
When the music wasn’t playing, there was a lot of laughter and fun on the set.
“Some episodes were so silly that it was a challenge to hold back laughter,” he said of “Lost in Space.”
June Lockhart (Ruth Martin) and Jon Provost (Timmy) are seen together while filming the movie “Lassie.” (CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images)
He added, “{And) on ‘Lassi’ I only cooked water in one vessel, but my stirring technique was very convincing!”
She also earned another title on the set — “Mistress of Scrabble.”
“As you know, there’s a lot of waiting on set,” she said. “I love word games and strategy. Scrabble was the best way to pass the time.”
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June Lockhart was known on the set as the “Mistress of Scrabble”. (CBS via Getty Images)
Over the years, Lockhart has maintained a close bond with his TV kids. He’s also inspired the kids who grew up watching him to reach for the stars.
“I’m in touch with Bill Mumy, Angela Cartwright, Marta Kristen and of course Jon Provost (from ‘Lassie’),” he said. “They’re all fabulously successful people and I have a great fondness for them.”
June Lockhart is seen here as a young MGM starlet. (Toronto Star Archives/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
“I was very happy — said sarcastically,” she told Fox News Digital. About to be recognized by NASA For his impact on space exploration.
“I have been told that my contributions have inspired many astronauts to pursue careers in space science and exploration,” he said. “It feels great to know that I influenced so many people by doing something I was interested in!”
“Lost in Space” ended in 1968. For Lockhart, it was the right time.
He said, “I have always believed that all work ends one day. You move on to the next thing.”
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Life is “sweet,” June Lockhart told Fox News Digital today. (Michael Tran/FilmMagic/Getty Images)
Today, Lockhart is “happy and enjoying every day.” She still cherishes the many fond memories she made in Hollywood.
“I love my job and my artists,” she said. “I never forget that this is all a sham.”
