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Forever linked to the heroic TV collie he often embraced, blond youngster Jon Provost was already an experienced actor by the time he landed the role of "Timmy Martin" at age seven on the series Lassie (1954). Born and raised in Los Angeles (March 12, 1950), Jon was only three when he was cast as the son of Jane Wyman and Sterling Hayden in the movie So Big (1953). He followed that with roles in The Country Girl (1954) as Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly's son, Back from Eternity (1956) starring Anita Ekberg, and co-starred in Escapade in Japan (1957), which featured an uncredited Clint Eastwood.
Then came Lassie (1954). Teen actor Tommy Rettig, who originally played Lassie's young master "Jeff Miller," had outgrown the role after three seasons. In 1957, his character was sent off to college, and the family sold their farm to a new family—the Martins—with their 7-year-old son, Timmy. Timmy's parents were portrayed by Hugh Reilly and the wholesome June Lockhart. Over seven seasons, viewers fell in love with Timmy and his thrilling adventures alongside the fearless dog. By 1964, however, the Martins moved to Australia, ending Jon’s time as a child TV star.
After Lassie, Jon's acting slowed down considerably. Apart from minor roles in This Property Is Condemned (1966), The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969), and the Philippine-made family adventure The Secret of the Sacred Forest (1970), work was scarce. By age 19, Jon had spent 16 years in film and television. As the darker 1960s culture took hold, despite numerous prominent offers, he chose to leave show business. Jon went to college in Northern California’s wine country, studied psychology, and eventually settled with his family in Sonoma County.
In 1990, Jon returned to television with The New Lassie (1989), starring Dee Wallace. In a nostalgic episode, he appeared alongside Lassie’s original master Tommy Rettig. Jon also earned a Genesis Award for Outstanding Television in a Family Series for a New Lassie episode he wrote about the mistreatment of research animals.
From his early days on screen before age three, Jon has experienced it all: the challenges of child stardom, social pressures, the '60s Sunset Strip lifestyle of sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll, and struggles with severe depression and dyslexia. For a time, Timmy truly was stuck down a well—but he escaped, and today Jon has a new story to share. He began directing and hosting online videos about dogs and cats for a Purina website, revitalizing his career in unexpected ways.
A divorced father of two, Jon is married to documentary writer Laurie Jacobson. In 2008, Jon celebrated 50 years as Timmy with the release of his autobiography, Timmy's in the Well, and a multi-city tour. He has also done some animated voice work and appeared in the family drama Susie's Hope (2013).
