Jon Provost

Biography: Jon Provost is a national treasure. The check shirt and jeans he wore for seven years as Timmy on television's beloved "Lassie" hang in The Smithsonian next to Archie Bunker's chair. A sought-after celebrity guest, recently he appeared at the Sun Fest, a five-day pop music event that drew 400,000 people to Palm Beach, Florida. At his personal appearance, Jon signed 500 autographs in three hours -- that's 2.4 per minute! -- clear evidence that he touched the hearts of millions and continues to do just that today on cable television.

Jon was already a seasoned professional when he won the role of Timmy at age seven. He was barely three when cast as Jane Wyman and Sterling Hayden's son in "So Big". During his career as a child actor and teen heart throb, he worked with some of the biggest stars in Hollywood: Grace Kelly and Bing Crosby in "The Country Girl", Natalie Wood and Robert Redford in "This Property is Condemned", Rod Steiger and Anita Ekberg in "Back FromJon Provost is a national treasure. The check shirt and jeans he wore for seven years as Timmy on television's beloved "Lassie" hang in The Smithsonian next to Archie Bunker's chair. A sought-after celebrity guest, recently he appeared at the Sun Fest, a five-day pop music event that drew 400,000 people to Palm Beach, Florida. At his personal appearance, Jon signed 500 autographs in three hours -- that's 2.4 per minute! -- clear evidence that he touched the hearts of millions and continues to do just that today on cable television.

Jon was already a seasoned professional when he won the role of Timmy at age seven. He was barely three when cast as Jane Wyman and Sterling Hayden's son in "So Big".
During his career as a child actor and teen heart throb, he worked with some of the biggest stars in Hollywood: Grace Kelly and Bing Crosby in "The Country Girl", Natalie Wood and Robert Redford in "This Property is Condemned", Rod Steiger and Anita Ekberg in "Back From Eternity", Clint Eastwood in "Escapade in Japan", Kurt Russell in "The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes" and on television with Kim Novak, Jack Benny, Ann Sothern and even with that famous talking horse, Mr. Ed.

By the time Jon Provost was eighteen, he'd worked in film and television for fifteen years. With a strong desire to try something new, he headed for Northern California, graduated college with a degree in psychology and worked in the field of special education. The beauty of the wine country seduced him and Jon never returned to L.A., preferring eventually to sell real estate in Sonoma County. But his fans always know where to find him. Letters from around the world still arrive at his door, some addressed simply: To Timmy from "Lassie", Santa Rosa, California, USA.

Jon has also earned a nationwide reputation as a philanthropist, giving his time to a wide assortment of causes, including children's hospitals, humane societies and, closest to his heart, Canine Companions for Independence, on whose Board of Governors he currently serves. In 1986, The Motion Picture Council presented him with their award for Outstanding Contribution as a Humanitarian for his dedication in helping the physically challenged. In 1989, Jon and his TV mom, June Lockhart served as national spokespersons for Snuggles's Back to School Safety Child-Savers Program. That same year, Betty White presented Jon with the Allen Ludden Humanitarian Award. More recently, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Youth In Film Association for his continuing efforts with the Easter Seals Telethon and the Citizens Advisory Committee to the American Police Hall of Fame.

In 1991, Jon returned to television as Timmy all grown up in "The New Lassie" with Dee Wallace Stone. He received a Genesis Award for Outstanding Television in a Family Series for a script he wrote focusing on the inhumane treatment of research animals.
Of all his many accomplishments, Jon is most proud of his children, Ryan, 16, and Katie, 14. They were at his side in 1994 when he received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 1999, he was made national spokesperson for SunAmerica, a financial services organization. Currently, he is writing his autobiography, TIMMY'S IN THE WELL.… Expand