Daytime Actress Jennifer Leak Dead at 76
Veteran actress Jennifer Leak has died at the age of 76. The sad news was shared by her ex-husband, Tim Matheson on Facebook. “It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of Jennifer Leak’s passing,” he wrote. “She wasn’t just my screen sister in Yours, Mine, and Ours, but also my beloved first wife. Jennifer was a remarkable woman, strong, lovely, and incredibly talented. My deepest condolences go out to her husband of 47 years, James D’Auria, and their multitude of friends.”
The East Hampton Star reported that Leak passed away at home in Jupiter, FL, on March 18 after battling a rare neurological disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, for the past seven years.
Born in Wales, Leak got her big break when she was cast as Lucille Ball’s daughter in the 1968 movie Yours, Mine, and Ours. The actress then went on to appear in primetime shows like HAWAII FIVE-O, MCMILLAN & WIFE, THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW, and IRONSIDE. But she also appeared in numerous daytime soaps during her extensive career.
Leak made her daytime debut as Elaine Bancroft in the NBC sudser BRIGHT PROMISE, and her husband, D’Auria, said that soaps “became her favorite medium and what she loved performing in most.” Her credits include three years as Gwen Sherman on THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS as well as appearances on RYAN’S HOPE, ANOTHER WORLD, GUIDING LIGHT, ONE LIFE TO LIVE, and LOVING.
Leak is survived by her husband as well as her brother, Kenneth Leak. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.
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