Brynn Thayer is a famous American actress best known for her roles in television dramas and soap operas. She gained widespread recognition for playing Jenny Wolek on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live from 1978 to 1986, a role that earned her a Daytime Emmy Award nomination. The actress later joined the cast of Matlock as Ben Matlock’s daughter, Leanne MacIntyre, becoming a regular cast member from 1992 to 1994.
Quick Wiki/Bio About Brynn Thayer
| Field | Details |
| Full name | Brynn Laurel Thayer Steinberg |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | October 4, 1949 |
| Age | 76 years old (as of January 2026) |
| Place of birth | Fort Worth, Texas, USA |
| Current residence | California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Zodiac sign | Libra |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Height | 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) |
| Weight | 137 lbs (62 kg) |
| Hair colour | Brown |
| Eye colour | Brown |
| Marital status | Married |
| Spouse | David Steinberg (m. 1994-2025) |
| Children | None (stepson Mason Steinberg) |
| Alma mater | Hillcrest High School, University of Arkansas |
| Profession | Actress, writer, director |
| Net worth | $1 million (estimated) |
Who is Brynn Thayer?
Brynn Thayer is an American actress who has been working in the entertainment industry since the 1970s. Born on October 4, 1949, in Fort Worth, Texas, she is the daughter of William Paul Thayer, a decorated World War II fighter pilot and former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense, and Margery Schwartz Thayer.
The actress grew up in Dallas, Texas, where she attended Hillcrest High School, graduating in 1967. She later attended the University of Arkansas, where she earned a degree in education.
After college, Thayer trained with renowned acting coach Milton Katselas at the Beverly Hills Playhouse before launching her professional acting career.
How old is Brynn Thayer? Age and birthday
Brynn Thayer is 76 years old as of January 2026. She was born on October 4, 1949, in Fort Worth, Texas. Her zodiac sign is Libra.
Brynn Thayer’s height, weight, and body measurements
Brynn Thayer stands 5 feet 7 inches tall (170 cm) and weighs approximately 137 pounds (62 kg). Her body measurements are 33-25-35 inches. She has brown hair and brown eyes.
Career
Early career beginnings
Brynn Thayer began her acting career in the mid-1970s after training at the Beverly Hills Playhouse. She appeared in various television shows and made-for-TV movies, slowly building her reputation in Hollywood.
Breakthrough role on One Life to Live
Thayer achieved her first major breakthrough when she was cast as Jenny Wolek Vernon on the ABC daytime soap opera One Life to Live in 1978.
She played this role for eight years, from 1978 to 1986. Her portrayal of Jenny Wolek earned her a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 1982.
The character of Jenny Wolek was a central figure on the show, and Thayer’s performance was widely praised by fans and critics alike.
Her work on One Life to Live established her as a talented soap opera actress and opened doors for future television opportunities.
Matlock years
In 1991, Brynn Thayer first appeared on the ABC legal drama series Matlock as a guest star in the episode “The Suspect,” playing a wealthy widow named Roxanne Windemere.
The following year, in 1992, she joined the show as a regular cast member, portraying Leanne MacIntyre, the daughter of the show’s title character, Ben Matlock, played by Andy Griffith.
Thayer appeared on Matlock for seasons 7 and 8, helping her father with his legal practice after divorcing her husband.
The show explained Leanne’s departure at the beginning of season 9 by stating that she moved to Los Angeles to start her own law firm.
Thayer’s time on Matlock showcased her versatility as an actress, moving from soap operas to legal dramas.
Other television roles
After leaving Matlock in 1994, Thayer continued her acting career with guest appearances and recurring roles on numerous television shows. She had a recurring role on General Hospital as Kylie Quinlan in 1994. She also appeared on popular series including Moonlighting, Murder She Wrote, 7th Heaven, Diagnosis Murder, JAG, Cold Case, Without a Trace, Castle, and How to Get Away with Murder.
In 2011, she guest starred on Days of Our Lives as Susan Banks. One of her most notable later roles was portraying Lily Specter, the mother of Harvey Specter, on the legal drama Suits in 2017.
Film career
Brynn Thayer has also appeared in several films throughout her career. One of her most notable film roles was in the 1988 action thriller Hero and the Terror, where she starred opposite Chuck Norris, playing the character Kay. Other film credits include Kansas (1988), Deadline Madrid (1988), and The Comeback (1989).
Her more recent films include Love and Debt (2018), Collusions (2021), and Good Grief. Recent television appearances include roles on Fatal Attraction and Suits.
Writing and directing
Beyond acting, Thayer has explored other creative avenues. She wrote and performed a one-woman show called The Eulogy. She also wrote and directed a play titled Let Me In, showcasing her talents as a writer and director.
Advocacy work
Thayer co-founded and served as president of ZazAngels, an organization created to advocate for people suffering from Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS).
The group was established following the death of actor Michael Zaslow, who was diagnosed with ALS in 1998. Her advocacy work demonstrates her commitment to important causes beyond her entertainment career.
What is Brynn Thayer’s net worth and salary?
As of 2026, Brynn Thayer’s net worth is estimated at over $1 million. She built this fortune through her decades-long acting career in television and film.
Her primary income sources have been her regular roles on soap operas like One Life to Live and legal dramas like Matlock, as well as guest appearances on various television series.
While her exact annual salary is not publicly disclosed, soap opera actors typically earn between $1,500 to $3,000 per episode for recurring roles, with lead actors earning much more.
Her work on Matlock and numerous guest appearances over the years contributed to her financial success.
Is Brynn Thayer married? Husband, dating history, and relationship status
Brynn Thayer is a widow as of 2026. She was married to David Steinberg, a prominent talent manager who represented celebrities like Billy Crystal and Robin Williams, from 1994 until his death in August 2025. Steinberg passed away on August 16, 2025, at the age of 81 after battling cancer.
Previous marriages
Before marrying David Steinberg, Thayer was married twice. Her first marriage was to Hugh Robertson in 1971, but the couple divorced in 1973 after two years together.
She then married actor Gerald Anthony in November 1981. Anthony was also a soap opera actor, and the two divorced in 1983 after approximately two years of marriage.
Children
Brynn Thayer does not have biological children of her own. She has a stepson, Mason Steinberg, from her late husband David Steinberg’s previous relationship. Mason is married to Melisa Steinberg, and they have one child, Owen, making Brynn a step-grandmother.
Fast facts about Brynn Thayer
- Brynn Thayer’s father, William Paul Thayer, was a decorated World War II Navy fighter ace who became the first pilot to break the sound barrier in a Navy production fighter jet.
- She graduated from Hillcrest High School in Dallas, Texas, in 1967, before attending the University of Arkansas.
- Thayer earned a degree in education from the University of Arkansas before pursuing her acting career.
- She received a Daytime Emmy Award nomination in 1982 for her role as Jenny Wolek on One Life to Live.
- Thayer trained with respected acting coach Milton Katselas at the Beverly Hills Playhouse.
- She played two different characters on Matlock, first appearing as Roxanne Windemere before becoming a regular cast member as Leanne MacIntyre.
- Thayer co-founded ZazAngels, an advocacy organization for people suffering from ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease).
- She wrote and performed a one-woman show called The Eulogy.
- Her late husband, David Steinberg, was a legendary talent manager who worked with comedy icons Billy Crystal and Robin Williams for over four decades.
- Thayer continues to act, with recent appearances on shows like Suits and Fatal Attraction, and films including Love and Debt and Collusions.
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Wrapping up
Brynn Thayer is an accomplished American actress with a career spanning over five decades. She earned recognition for her role as Jenny Wolek on One Life to Live and as Leanne MacIntyre on Matlock. Born in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1949, she is 76 years old as of 2026.
The actress was married to talent manager David Steinberg from 1994 until his death in 2025. With an estimated net worth of over $1 million, Thayer continues to appear in television shows and films while remaining active in advocacy work for ALS patients.
References
- TUKO.co.ke. “Why did Brynn Thayer leave Matlock? Here’s what really happened”.
- IMDb. “Brynn Thayer Biography”.
- Wikipedia. “Brynn Thayer”.
- Encyclopedia.com. “Thayer, Brynn 1949-”.
- D Magazine. “Making It”.
- Deadline. “David Steinberg Dead: Manager To Billy Crystal & Robin Williams Was 81”.
- Famous Birthdays. “Brynn Thayer – Age, Bio, Family”.
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