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.
Old Man Helps Single Mom Fix Baby Stroller, Next Day Sees Private Jet Landing For Him
An elderly man steps in to help a struggling single mom when a wheel falls off her baby’s stroller. Days later, he finds himself aboard a private jet, en route to a tropical paradise.
At seventy-two, Joseph Benjamin had settled into a quiet, predictable routine. Widowed and with his two grown children living far away, Joe’s days were simple. He would wake with the sunrise, ride his bike to the bakery for fresh rolls, and spend his afternoons tinkering in his workshop. Life had become a calm, steady rhythm — until the day he met April and her baby, Emma.
That morning, Joe was cycling to the bakery when he spotted a young woman in a grey tracksuit, struggling with an old-fashioned stroller. One of the wheels had come loose, and she was desperately trying to fix it while her baby cried inside the uneven stroller.
“Excuse me,” Joe offered gently. “Do you need a hand?”
The woman looked up, tears filling her eyes. “Yes,” she said, her voice breaking. “I think I do.”
Seeing her distress, Joe awkwardly patted her shoulder. “It’s alright,” he reassured her. “We’ll have this stroller fixed in no time.”
The woman, wiping her tears, explained through sobs, “I should never have brought this old stroller out… it was mine when I was a baby. I guess I got nostalgic.”
Joe smiled warmly. “I understand that feeling. I saved all my children’s old toys, and my grandkids love them. Let’s see what we can do.”
He took out his tool kit from his bike and quickly diagnosed the problem — a loose lug nut. “It’s not broken, just needs tightening,” he said. “But you might want to take the baby out first. The wheel could give a bit of a jolt.”
As April picked up her baby, Joe worked on the stroller. A moment later, the wheel clicked back into place. “There you go,” Joe announced, “good as new!”
April smiled brightly, holding her baby close. “Thank you! You’ve saved my day. It’s my first one back in Cheyenne, and it was turning into a disaster.”
“Where were you before?” Joe asked.
“I was in California for college,” she replied.
“You’re lucky,” Joe said with a sigh. “I’ve never been to California or even seen the ocean.”
April’s face softened. “It’s beautiful there, but I wanted my daughter to grow up here, in my hometown.”
As they continued to chat, Joe shared his own story of rarely seeing his children and grandchildren. April, who introduced her baby as Emma, told him how much she missed her parents, who had passed away a year ago. Their conversation was easy, comforting.
“Why don’t you and Emma join an old man for coffee?” Joe suggested, pointing to his favorite café across the street. April gladly accepted, and they spent the rest of the morning together.
As they were leaving, April said, “Emma and I are going on a little trip tomorrow. How about you come with us?”
Surprised but delighted, Joe agreed. The next morning, a sleek black car with a chauffeur arrived at Joe’s home to pick him up. “Where are we going?” Joe asked, still in disbelief.
April, with a playful grin, replied, “It’s a surprise!” The car drove them straight onto the tarmac at a local airport, where a luxurious private jet awaited.
“Wait… what’s going on?” Joe asked, wide-eyed.
“We’re going to the beach,” April said, smiling. “You’re finally going to see the ocean!”
Joe could hardly believe it. He had never flown in his life, let alone traveled in a private jet. As they took off, Joe was overwhelmed with joy. “I can’t believe this! I’m actually flying — and I’ll see the ocean!”
April explained that she had inherited a private jet charter company from her parents, and she always had a plane ready for trips. From that day on, Joe became a regular guest on April and Emma’s vacations, becoming a surrogate grandfather to the little girl.
This story reminds us that life can bring unexpected joys. Joe thought he had seen everything life had to offer, but one small act of kindness opened the door to incredible new experiences. His simple gesture not only helped a young mom in need but also led to fulfilling his lifelong dream — proving that kindness truly has the power to change lives.
Share this story with others — it might brighten their day and inspire them to help someone in need.
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