 The television series "Lassie" debuted on CBS in September 1954 with Jan Clayton playing widowed farm woman Ellen Miller, Tommy Rettig her son Jeff, and George Cleveland her father-in-law George Miller.In its first three years, the show won two Emmy Awards, and, at the beginning of its fourth season (1957), introduced child actor Jon Provost to audiences as a young runaway named Timmy.In his debut, Timmy remains on the Miller farm in a foster status after a social worker's assistance.