Jennifer Leak, Tim Matheson’s First Wife: A Tribute to a Remarkable Actress and Pioneer in Soap Operas

Jennifer Leak, the first wife of Tim Matheson, passed away at the age of 76 on March 18 at her home in Jupiter, Florida. Born in Cardiff, Wales in 1947, Leak began her screen career in the mid-1960s with the Mike Nichols-directed pilot for Wojeck. She later appeared in soap operas such as The Young and the Restless, Another World, and Guiding Light.

Leak met Matheson while playing step-siblings in the 1968 film Yours, Mine and Ours. In the movie, Matheson portrayed Mike, the son of Henry Fonda’s character, while Leak played Colleen, the daughter of Lucille Ball’s character. The film revolved around a blended family of 18 children.

In her final years, Leak battled progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare neurological disease. Despite this challenge, she remained strong and beautiful until her passing on March 18 at her home in Jupiter, Florida.

Matheson shared a tribute to Leak on Facebook, remembering her as a remarkable woman who was incredibly talented. He expressed his deepest condolences to her husband of 47 years, James D’Auria