Jennifer Leak, a celebrated actress known for her roles in the soap operas “The Young and the Restless,” “Another World,” “Guiding Light,” and the 1968 film “Yours, Mine and Ours,” has died at the age of 76.
Leak’s passing was noted by her ex-husband, actor Tim Matheson, on Wednesday, March 27. In a heartfelt tribute, Matheson, also 76, remembered Leak for her remarkable talent and strength. “It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of Jennifer Leak’s passing,” he wrote on Facebook, reflecting on their shared history both on-screen as step-siblings in “Yours, Mine and Ours” and off-screen as his first wife.
Jennifer Leak died on March 18 at her home in Jupiter, Florida. For the past several years, she was battling progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare neurological disease that ultimately claimed her life.
Her career in Hollywood spanned several decades, beginning in the mid-1960s with her start in the Canadian drama series “Wojeck”, then American shows such as “Hawaii Five-O” and the “Mary Tyler Moore Show”, before making her transition to film and then to American television soap operas, earning her prominence and acclaim.
Leak and Matheson’s connection went beyond their shared screen time; the couple was married from 1968 until their separation in 1971. Matheson’s tribute also extended his condolences to Leak’s husband of 47 years, James D’Auria, acknowledging the profound loss experienced by those close to her. “My deepest condolences go out to her husband, James D’Auria, and their multitude of friends,” Matheson expressed, highlighting the impact Leak had on those around her.
In “Yours, Mine and Ours,” Leak played the character of one of the daughters, Colleen, opposite parents Henry Fonda and Lucille Ball, in a story about a blended family navigating the challenges and comedic moments of life with 18 children under one roof. The film remains a beloved classic, leading to a remake in 2005 featuring Dennis Quaid and Rene Russo.
After stepping away from the spotlight in the 1980s, Leak embarked on a second career as a real estate agent. Her marriage to D’Auria in 1977 marked the beginning of a new chapter away from the entertainment industry.
Leak is survived by her husband, James D’Auria, and her brother.
