Tim Matheson Remembers Ex-Wife and Former Costar Jennifer Leak After Her Death: She 'Was a Remarkable Woman'

Leak died on March 18 at her home in Jupiter, Florida, at age 76

Tim Matheson is paying tribute to his late ex-wife and former Yours, Mine and Ours costar Jennifer Leak.

"It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of Jennifer Leak's passing," the West Wing star shared on Facebook Wednesday. "She wasn't just my screen sister in 'Yours, Mine and Ours,' but also my beloved first wife."

The Virgin River actor continued, "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 died on March 18 at her home in Jupiter, Florida. She was 76.

Before her death, she was diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare neurological disease that affects balance, vision and speech.

Matheson and Leak, who played step-siblings in the 1960s film, wed in 1968 but later divorced in 1971. Leak then married D’Auria in April 1977.

Born on Sept. 28, 1947, in Cardiff, Wales, Leak began her acting career in 1966 in the Mike Nichols-directed TV series Wojeck. When she moved to Los Angeles, she landed her first film role as Lucille Ball’s daughter in Yours, Mine and Ours.

She later established her name in the soap world, appearing in daytime programs like The Young and the Restless and Guiding Light. The soap “became her favorite medium and what she loved performing in most,” according to what D’Auria shared with The East Hampton Star.

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D’Auria described his wife to the outlet as “a shy and private person, never desiring to be the center of attention or having the need for an audience.” But when she was on camera, “she became electric.”

The couple split their time between New York City and the Hamptons but settled in the latter in 2001. They relocated to Florida in 2017.

In addition to her husband, Leak is survived by her brother Kenneth Leak.

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