Jennifer Leak, Young and the Restless Star Dead At 76

Sad news for Young and the Restless (Y&R) fans as it has been announced that former alum and actress Jennifer Leak D’Auria passed away recently, after a seven-year fight with a rare neurological condition known as supranuclear palsy. She died on Monday, March 18 in her Jupiter, Florida home at the age of 76.

Young and the Restless Star Jennifer Leak D’Auria’s Acting Legacy

While Jennifer is best known for her Y&R role as Gwen Sherman, she had quite the acting career. She began working at the age of 17 when she shot a Canadian television pilot for a series called Wojeck.

According to Jennifer’s husband, James D’Auria, the film director Mike Nichols was so impressed with her natural talent that he cast her in The Graduate; however, immigration issues kept her from participating in the movie.

She would move to L.A. later on, living at the Hollywood Studio Club, when she was cast in the 1968 movie starring Lucille Ball, Yours, Mine, Ours. Jennifer played Ball’s daughter.

Other career highlights included appearances on Hawaii Five-O, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and Nero Wolfe.

In addition to her Y&R run, she also had a three-year stint on Another World. Her husband notes that daytime television became Linda’s favorite medium, where she loved performing the most.

Young and the Restless Star Jennifer Leak D’Auria’s One Final Gift

Mr. D’Auria goes on to say that his wife’s courage and bravery tried in vain to fight her disease; however, while she may have lost the battle, she did something to ensure that doctors can win the ultimate war on the condition,

for future generations. Jennifer made one last gift, donating her brain tissue to the Mayo Clinic for further supranuclear palsy research.

It is said that her ashes will be buried in the graveyard of her Rumney, Wales, childhood church.

On behalf of everyone here, we pass our condolences to Jennifer’s family, friends, loved ones, and fans. You can watch Y&R on CBS daily to stay on top of the drama and visit CTS often for the best Young and the Restless news, spoilers, and updates.

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