For nearly two decades most of us can remember tuning in to see the latest adventures of the most famous dog on TV – Lassie.
This much-loved Rough Collie dog and her human companions graced our screens for 17 seasons from 1954 to 1973 and even made the transition from black and white to color in the ’60s.
But who could forget the adorable little boy who joined the show in its fourth season when he and his family adopted Lassie – 7-year-old Timmy Martin.
Now Jon Provost, who played Timmy, has celebrated his 74th birthday and shares the joy he had filming with his four-legged friend and how he was discovered by Hollywood at just 3 years old.
The Los Angeles-born actor said when he was 3 years old he was taken to an audition for a Jane Wyman movie because his mom was a huge fan and hoped to get her autograph. But, out of the 200 kids auditioning for the part, Jon got it.
It was far from evident that Jon would become an actor. His father worked with something completely different – he was an aeronautical engineer.
”My parents weren’t Hollywood people. My father is from Alabama and my mother is from Texas,” Jon said.
At age 4, he landed a role in a Grace Kelly and Bing Crosby movie.
“I didn’t have an agent. I got one and that led to more movies like The Country Girl with Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly. I did about 12 movies before I started ‘Lassie’”, he told Fox News.
Three different Lassies
Recalling the bonds he formed with the three different male dogs that played the part of the female Lassie, Jon said he developed the biggest bond with the last dog to play Lassie.
“I did the show for seven years, 249 half-hour episodes. I worked with three different Lassies. The last dog I worked with, I worked with him for five years alone,” he told Fox News.
“We grew up together. For five years, we saw each other five days a week and sometimes on weekends.
Revealing how well behaved the dog was he added: “The actors made more mistakes than the dog. They were more of a problem,” he laughed.
After leaving the show at 14 years old he starred alongside the likes of Natalie Wood and Kurt Russell and never fell into the Hollywood child actor trap saying: “My parents let me pretty much do what I wanted to do. I didn’t have to take a job.
“When I left Hollywood, I thought it was good that I did.”
Today Jon lives out of the limelight in Northern California but still gets fan mail from his time in “Lassie”. In 1994, the actor received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Meanwhile, Lassie, the canine character, became so popular that she even had a “Lassie” riveting radio series.
Jon Provost wife
In 1979, Jon Provost tied the knot with Sandy Goosens. Together, they had two children, Ryan and Katie.
After being married for 14 years, the two divorced on December 20, 1993.
In 1999, Jon Provost found love again when he married Laurie Jacobson, a well-known researcher, and author.
I was such a fan of the adventures this sweet duo got up to. And with a moral to every episode, it was the perfect show for kids.
Please share with all the “Lassie” fans you know.
GEORGE W. BUSH REVEALS GRANDSON’S HEARTWARMING NAME INSPIRED BY GREAT-GRANDFATHERS
George W. Bush is excited to share some happy family news!
The former U.S. president, now 78, announced on social media that his family has grown. On Tuesday, August 6, Bush posted a touching photo on Instagram to celebrate the birth of his new grandson. He congratulated his daughter, Barbara Pierce Bush, and her husband, Craig Coyne, on the arrival of their second child.
George W. Bush is celebrating the newest addition to his family!
The 78-year-old former U.S. president proudly announced the birth of his grandson on social media. On August 6, Bush shared a heartwarming photo on Instagram to congratulate his daughter, Barbara Pierce Bush, and her husband, Craig Coyne, on the arrival of their second child.
The couple, who already have a 2-year-old daughter named Cora Georgia, welcomed their son, Edward Finn, a few days earlier. In the touching photo, Barbara and Craig are seen holding their newborn son in a hospital bed, looking very happy as they look at their baby boy. Bush’s Instagram caption read, “Welcome to the world, Edward Finn Coyne. @laurawbush and I are proud grandparents of our newest blessing, born on August 4 and lovingly named in honor of his great-grandfathers. Congratulations to Barbara, Craig, and big sister Cora Georgia.”
The news was first shared by Barbara’s twin sister, Jenna Bush Hager, on August 5. Jenna, who co-anchors the *Today* show, posted on Instagram about her excitement to be an aunt again. She wrote, “My sissy had a little mister and I fell madly in love with Edward Finn! ,” and shared several photos of the special moments after Edward’s birth. One picture shows Jenna feeding her new nephew, another shows Barbara holding Edward while Jenna watches, and a third shows Edward peacefully resting in his mother’s arms.
Jenna Bush Hager didn’t give more details about her nephew’s birth, but the photos she shared show how happy the family is. Edward was wearing a hat from NYU Langone Health, which suggests that Barbara might have had him at this well-known New York City hospital.
This isn’t the first time George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, have expressed their joy about becoming grandparents. When Barbara and Craig’s daughter, Cora, was born, the Bushes announced the news with a statement. They said, “With full hearts, @laurawbush and I are delighted to announce the birth of our new granddaughter. Barbara gave birth to Cora Georgia Coyne on September 27, 2021, in Maine – not far from our family home where Barbara and Craig were married. Cora is healthy and adorable, and we are proud and grateful.”
What a wonderful new addition to the Bush family!
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