Whatever Happened to ‘Matlock’s Brynn Thayer?

MATLOCK, Brynn Thayer, Andy Griffith, (Seasons 2 through 6), 1985-1996 — Viacom Productions Inc/Everett Collection

What To Know

Brynn Thayer joined Matlock in the early ’90s as Ben Matlock’s daughter.
After Matlock, Thayer maintained a steady television career with guest and recurring roles.
Beyond acting, Thayer has been active in charitable work for ALS research.

When Matlock returned for its later seasons in the early ’90s, one of the most notable new additions was Brynn Thayer, who stepped into the role of Ben Matlock’s daughter, Leanne MacIntyre. Leanne gave the long-running legal drama a different kind of energy as it helped dive into Matlock’s personal life a little more.

In honor of the show’s 40th anniversary, let’s celebrate Thayer, her character in Matlock, and her long career, plus find out what she’s been up to now in her 70s.

ABC / Courtesy Everett Collection

Before joining Matlock, Thayer had already built a solid reputation on television. She was best known for playing Jenny Wolek on One Life to Live from 1978 to 1986, a role that earned her a Daytime Emmy Award nomination. After leaving soap operas, she transitioned into primetime with leading roles in short-lived series such as TV 101 and Island Son.

Thayer first appeared on Matlock as a guest star in the 1991 episode “The Suspect” before returning the following season as a regular cast member. She remained with the series through its later years, becoming an integral part of the show’s evolving dynamic.

GOOD GRIEF, from left: Emily Rued, Brynn Thayer, 2024

Freestyle Digital Media/Everett Collection

After Matlock, Thayer continued working steadily in television, often in guest and recurring roles. Her credits include appearances on Moonlighting, Murder, She Wrote, Diagnosis: Murder, JAG, Cold Case, Without a Trace, Castle, and How to Get Away with Murder. She also returned briefly to daytime television with a recurring role on General Hospital and later appeared on Days of Our Lives in 2011. In more recent years, Thayer has remained active on screen while also expanding into writing and directing. She portrayed Lily Specter, the mother of Harvey Specter, on Suits, and appeared in series such as The Fosters, NCIS, 9-1-1, and Fatal Attraction. Her film work includes Murder in Mexico: The Bruce Beresford-Redman Story, Collusions, Love & Debt, and Good Grief.

Outside of acting, Thayer has been deeply involved in creative and charitable work. She co-founded ZazAngels alongside actor Michael Zaslow and his wife, Susan Hufford, an organization dedicated to supporting ALS research. She has also written and performed the one-woman show The Eulogy, which was praised by the Los Angeles Times, and collaborated on award-winning short films through the Worst Day series.