Jennifer Leak, a veteran actress of several soaps including Another World and The Young and the Restless, has died. She was 76.
In Memoriam
Her passing was reported by her former husband, actor Tim Matheson (Animal House). The two had appeared in the 1968 film Yours, Mine, and Ours, which starred Henry Fonda and Lucille Ball as parents of a blended family.
“It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of Jennifer Leak’s passing. She wasn’t just my screen sister in Yours, Mine and Ours, but also my beloved first wife,” Matheson shared. ” 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.”
Jennifer Leak was born on September 28, 1947, in Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom. She’s best known to soap fans for her role as Springer Gordon Randolph on AW from 1976-1979. She also played Gwen Sherman on Y&R. Her last soap role was Dr. Hennesy on Loving in 1992.
According to the East Hampton Star, Leak was diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. There, she took part in research programs.
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Olive was a classic soap opera villainess. Leak brought a psychotic edge to her role that Olive kept secret from many until it was too late. After her split from Ray Gordon (Ted Shackelford; Gary Carpenter), Olive set her sights on wealthy attorney John Randolph (Michael M. Ryan). She attempted to kill Alice (Susan Harney) so that she could have Dan Shearer all to herself by setting a cottage on fire; John died rescuing Alice.
Prior to joining AW, Leak bad a brief but key role in an episode of Mary Tyler Moore titled “Better Late…That’s a Pun…Than Never.” Mary had written a flippant obituary, which was never intended to be read on the air, but, unfortunately, it was. She left her job at the WJM-TV newsroom after a falling out with Lou Grant (Ed Asner) over the mistake. Leak played Erica Jordan, Mary’s replacement.
Upon seeing how much the irreplaceable Mary wanted to come back, Lou sent Erica off to personnel with a mug. He called over and ordered someone there to find Erica a new job — Mary was back.
Leak’s other credits include roles on McMillan and Wife and Hawaii Five-O. At the time of her passing, she was working on her memoir. Leak is survived by her husband, James D’Auria. Soap Hub sends sincere condolences to her family and loved ones at this difficult time.
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