The 'Young and the Restless' actress, who also starred on 'Another World', passed away on March 18, 2024, at her home in Jupiter, Florida at the age of 76.
- Mar 29, 2024
AceShowbiz - Jennifer Leak, best known for her roles in the film "Yours, Mine and Ours" and the soap operas "The Young and the Restless" and "Another World", passed away on March 18, 2024, at her home in Jupiter, Florida. She was 76 years old.
Leak's passing was confirmed by The East Hampton Star. The actress had been battling progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare neurological disease, for the past seven years.
Leak was born on September 28, 1947, in Cardiff, Wales. She grew up in various countries, including England, Canada, Israel, and Toronto. Her entertainment career began in Canada at the age of 17 when she starred in the pilot of the TV series "Wojeck". She was later cast in Mike Nichols' "The Graduate" but could not participate due to immigration issues.
In the 1960s, Leak moved to Los Angeles and quickly landed a role in the 1968 comedy film "Yours, Mine and Ours." On the set, she met her first husband, Tim Matheson. Together, they played step-siblings in the movie about a blended family of 18 children.
After her marriage to Matheson, Leak's career shifted to television. She appeared in shows such as "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "Hawaii Five-0," and "Nero Wolfe." She eventually found her niche in daytime soap operas, becoming a regular on "The Young and the Restless" and "Another World."
Leak married her second husband, James D'Auria, in 1977. They spent their time between New York City and the Hamptons, eventually moving full-time to Florida in 2017.
Matheson, now 76, paid tribute to Leak on Facebook, describing her as a "remarkable woman, strong, lovely, and incredibly talented." Leak's legacy as a talented actress and a beloved television star will continue to live on. She is survived by her husband and brother.
