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.
Is your birth number a good match? Let’s find out!
1) What is your birth number?
In numerology, numbers are really important. Your number can help you see if you and your partner are a good match or not. Here’s how it works.
2) How do you calculate your birth number?
Add all the digits of your birth date together until you get a single number. Once you know your number, you can check the compatibility chart to see how well you match with others.
3) Number 1:
If your number is 1, your best matches are people with numbers 3 and 5. These numbers tend to be easygoing and can handle your strong and sometimes bossy personality.
4) On the other hand,
it’s best to avoid people with a number 8 because both 1 and 8 can be too competitive with each other. While number 2 is gentle, sensitive, and diplomatic, they work better with a number 1 in a business or work relationship, rather than a romantic one.
5) Number 2:
If your number is 2, your best matches are with people who have the visionary number 8 or the kind, caring number 9. The business-focused number 8 is a great fit because your gentle nature balances their strong, hardworking personality, whether in love or business. Number 9, who is calm and sophisticated, is also a good match. You might also get along well with a protective and loving number 6.
6) On the other hand,
a practical and reliable number 4 might seem like a good match at first, but over time, they may feel boring to you. The same goes for the serious and quiet number 7. A 1 and 2 pairing can work, but only if both understand and respect their different roles in the relationship.
7) Number 3:
If your number is 3, you’ve probably had great relationships with people who have numbers 5 and 7. The fun and adventurous number 5 matches your love for excitement and unpredictability, while the thoughtful and mysterious number 7 brings depth and meaning to your life.
8) On the other hand,
it’s best to avoid someone with the number 4, even though they are reliable and practical. When a 3 and 4 are together, they tend to bring out the worst in each other, even though their qualities could be good for the relationship.
9) Number 4:
If your number is 4, you value long-term, stable relationships more than any other number. It’s not that you dislike being alone, but you prefer a steady, routine lifestyle that comes with lasting relationships. Because of this, you get along well with people who have numbers 2, 4, and 8.
10) On the other hand,
number 4s usually don’t get along well with numbers 3, 6, and 8 because those numbers are more outgoing and flashy.
11) Number 5:
If your number is 5, you have many great options for romantic partners. The bold and adventurous number 1 is a good match, as well as the fun and creative number 3. You might also connect well with the caring and supportive number 6 and the sincere number 7.
12) On the other hand,
you might not get along with numbers 4 and 8 unless one of you is ready to change completely.
13) Number 6:
If your number is 6, you can have a happy, long-lasting relationship with just about any number. Your willingness to make sacrifices helps create a strong foundation in any relationship.
14) On the other hand,
even though you get along with most numbers, 3 and 5 could be tricky because they tend to focus on themselves.
15) Number 7:
If your number is 7, you are the least likely to get married and stay married compared to the other numbers. However, many 7s do end up getting married, but often later in life. You’ll likely get along well with numbers 3 and 5.
16) On the other hand,
you might not get along well with number 2 because you find them too shallow and sentimental. Number 1 feels too bossy for you, while number 8 seems too focused on money. You also think number 9 is too distant.
17) Number 8:
If your number is 8, you’re likely to choose a partner whom you can guide and have some control over. Because of this, number 2, who is nurturing, and number 6, who is caring and supportive, are usually good matches for you.
18) On the other hand,
the strong and independent number 1 might end up arguing with you every day. The free-spirited number 5 isn’t a good match either, and neither is the creative number 3, who can be unreliable and inconsistent.
19) Number 9:
If your number is 9, you might face the most challenges in relationships compared to the other numbers. You have a noble side and value your independence. Because of this, you’ll likely get along well with numbers 2 and 3.
20) On the other hand,
you might want to steer clear of the unpredictable number 5 and the unconventional number 7. Numbers 1 and 9 are very different from each other, which can make them attracted to one another, but they usually don’t stay together.
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