As the world mourns the passing of June Lockhart, the beloved star of “Lassie” and “Lost in Space,” one tribute stood out — a note of profound beauty and sorrow from another legend: Itzhak Perlman.

“She Played Life Like a Symphony”

In a message shared through his publicist late Thursday, violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman, 80, reflected on Lockhart’s remarkable century-long journey — not only as an actress but as a symbol of artistry and grace.

“She played life like a symphony,” Perlman wrote.

“Every note she touched — every scene, every smile, every moment of courage — felt deliberate and full of music. She was a living reminder that art doesn’t just happen on a stage. It happens wherever kindness lives.”

The message, though brief, spread quickly through social media, gathering hundreds of thousands of shares within hours. Fans and fellow performers called it “the most moving tribute of the year.”

A Century of Light

June Lockhart’s career spanned nearly a hundred years — from her Broadway debut at just 8 years old to her unforgettable television roles as the caring Ruth Martin in “Lassie” and the brave Maureen Robinson in “Lost in Space.”

She became not just an actress, but a cultural touchstone — the gentle, intelligent matriarch whose compassion became part of the American imagination.

“There was something eternal about her,” Perlman’s statement continued.

“She made the world feel safe, even when it wasn’t. That’s not acting — that’s soul.”

A Friendship Forged in Respect

Though they came from different artistic worlds — she from Hollywood, he from the concert stage — Lockhart and Perlman crossed paths several times over the decades.

According to those close to both, the two shared a quiet friendship built on mutual admiration.

Lockhart once attended one of Perlman’s recitals in Los Angeles in the 1990s and reportedly told him backstage,

“You make your violin sing the way an actor dreams to speak.”

Perlman never forgot that. In his tribute, he recalled that moment, writing:

“She understood performance not as perfection, but as presence. She lived her life with that same rhythm — patient, fearless, utterly human.”

The Internet Responds

Fans worldwide joined Perlman in celebrating Lockhart’s legacy.

One comment read:

“When Itzhak Perlman calls your life a symphony — that’s not just praise. That’s immortality.”

Actors and musicians alike echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the rare cross-generational influence Lockhart left behind.

From young actors discovering “Lost in Space” on streaming platforms to lifelong fans who grew up watching “Lassie,” the reaction was unanimous: June Lockhart made the world gentler.

Perlman’s Message of Farewell

Perlman’s final words were as delicate as the music he’s known for:

“Artists like June remind us that beauty doesn’t age. It ripens.

The world has lost a performer — but heaven has gained harmony.”

He signed simply:

— Itzhak Perlman, October 2025

A Legacy That Plays On

June Lockhart passed away peacefully of natural causes at her home, surrounded by family, on October 23, 2025.

She was 100 years old.

In a century that saw wars, revolutions, and a constantly changing world, she remained one thing above all — steady.

Her characters embodied warmth, dignity, and strength — the kind of timeless humanity that transcends generations.

As one fan wrote under Perlman’s tribute:

“She didn’t just act. She conducted emotion. And Itzhak understood that.”

Two artists — one voice of tribute.

A violinist and an actress, both masters of quiet power.

And somewhere, if heaven has an orchestra, June Lockhart has already taken her bow. 🎻🌹