For almost twenty years, many of us remember watching the adventures of TV’s most famous dog – Lassie.
This beloved Rough Collie and her human friends were on our screens for 17 seasons, from 1954 to 1973. The show even switched from black and white to color in the 1960s.
But one of the most unforgettable parts of the show was when 7-year-old Timmy Martin joined in the fourth season. Timmy and his family adopted Lassie, creating some of the most memorable moments in the series.
Jon Provost, who played Timmy on *Lassie*, just celebrated his 74th birthday. He looks back fondly on his time filming with his four-legged co-star and remembers how Hollywood discovered him at only 3 years old.
The actor, born in Los Angeles, recalls that when he was 3, his mom took him to an audition for a Jane Wyman movie. She was a huge fan and just wanted her autograph. But out of 200 kids, Jon got the part.
Acting wasn’t something that ran in the family. Jon’s father had a completely different job—he was an aeronautical engineer.
“My parents weren’t Hollywood people,” Jon said. “My father is from Alabama, and my mother is from Texas.”
At age 4, Jon Provost landed a role in a movie with Grace Kelly and Bing Crosby.
“I didn’t have an agent at the time. After that, I got one, and it 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.
Jon also shared memories of working with the three different male dogs who played the role of Lassie. He said he formed a special bond with the last dog who portrayed the famous female collie.
“I did the show for seven years, filming 249 half-hour episodes. I worked with three different Lassies,” Jon Provost told Fox News.
He shared that the last dog he worked with was by his side for five years straight. “We grew up together. For five years, we saw each other five days a week, and sometimes even on weekends.”
Jon also revealed how well-behaved the dog was on set. “The actors made more mistakes than the dog,” he laughed. “They were more of a problem than Lassie.”
After leaving *Lassie* at 14 years old, Jon Provost went on to star with big names like Natalie Wood and Kurt Russell. Despite growing up in Hollywood, he avoided the common pitfalls many child actors face.
“My parents let me pretty much do what I wanted to do. I didn’t have to take a job,” Jon said.
Looking back, he added, “When I left Hollywood, I thought it was good that I did.”
Today, Jon lives away from the spotlight in Northern California but still receives fan mail from his time on *Lassie*. In 1994, he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The character Lassie became so famous that she even had her own radio series.
In 1979, Jon married Sandy Goosens, and they had two children, Ryan and Katie. However, after 14 years of marriage, they divorced in December 1993.
In 1999, Jon found love again when he married Laurie Jacobson, a well-known researcher and author.
I’ve always been a big fan of the adventures this sweet duo went on. And with a moral in every episode, it was the perfect show for kids.
Please share this with all the *Lassie* fans you know.
The Fascinating World of Toy Clackers: Discovering the Fun Behind the Toy
Have you ever seen a toy that made you stop and wonder what it was? You’re not the only one! There’s one toy that left a lot of people confused – Toy Clackers. Even today, most people, about ninety percent, don’t know what they are. So, let’s explore the interesting world of Toy Clackers and figure it out together!
A Blast from the Past
In the fun 1970s, Toy Clackers (also called Klik-Klaks) were super popular. These old-school toys are still loved by collectors who enjoy the memories of simpler times. But what are Toy Clackers, exactly? Imagine this: two plastic balls connected by a string. When you swing them, they hit each other and make a cool “clacking” sound. It’s a unique and fun experience!
The Birth of Toy Clackers
It’s hard to believe, but Toy Clackers were invented in 1969 by Wham-O, the same company that gave us famous toys like the Hula Hoop, Frisbee, and Superball. Toy Clackers became super popular fast, and in just the first year, Wham-O sold over 10 million of them. These toys were everywhere, catching the attention of both kids and adults. They were a huge hit!
Safety Concerns and Controversy
With their big popularity came big problems—safety concerns. Unfortunately, Toy Clackers were banned in many places because of accidents and injuries. Some of the plastic balls would break apart, sending sharp pieces flying and hurting kids. To fix this, Wham-O made a new, safer version, but it didn’t become as popular as the original.
A Lasting Legacy
Even with their mixed history, Toy Clackers still have many fans, especially among collectors and people who remember playing with them when they were kids. These vintage toys connect us to the past and remind us of the fun times spent with friends. They might seem simple, but the happiness they bring is priceless.
Let’s Relive the Joy
Do you remember how much fun Toy Clackers were? For me, they bring back memories of playing with them at my friends’ houses. There was something really satisfying about swinging those balls and hearing the clacking sound. Did you get to enjoy the fun of Toy Clackers too? Let’s take a trip down memory lane and relive those happy moments together!
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