Brynn Thayer is a 76-year-old American actress, playwright and director, best known as Jenny Wolek on One Life to Live and Leanne MacIntyre on Matlock.
Born October 4, 1949, she stands 5 ft 7 in and has worked since 1978. She played Jenny Wolek for eight years, then joined Matlock and later Suits. Her husband, manager David Steinberg, died August 16, 2025. No source verifies her net worth. Estimates cluster near $1 million.
Quick Facts (Updated September 2026)
| Fact | Detail |
| Born | October 4, 1949, Fort Worth, Texas |
| Age | 76 (turns 77 on October 4, 2026) |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
| Jobs | Actress, playwright, writer, director |
| Training | Beverly Hills Playhouse |
| Father | W. Paul Thayer, Deputy Secretary of Defense (1983–84) |
| Marital status | Widow of David Steinberg |
| Net worth | About $1 million (unverified estimate) |
How Old and How Tall Is Brynn Thayer?
How old is Brynn Thayer in 2026?
- She is 76 as of September 28, 2026.
- Her 77th birthday is October 4, 2026.
- Her zodiac sign is Libra.
How tall is Brynn Thayer?
- IMDb lists her at 5 ft 7 in.
- We skip weight and body measurements. No reliable source backs them, and they conflict from page to page.
Where was Brynn Thayer born?
- IMDb says Fort Worth. Some sites say Dallas.
- We use IMDb. It carries a mini biography Thayer wrote herself.
- She grew up in a Navy family, so early moves are likely.
Brynn Thayer's Career: From Soap Opera to Legal Drama
Which role made her a name? Most fans say Jenny Wolek. Thayer took the part in August 1978 during a contract dispute between the previous actress and ABC.
The soap earned her a Daytime Emmy nomination. Then she moved to prime time.
| Years | Project | Role |
| 1978–1986 | One Life to Live | Jenny Wolek |
| 1988–1989 | TV 101 (CBS) | Series regular |
| 1989–1990 | Island Son (CBS) | Series regular |
| 1992–1994 | Matlock | Leanne MacIntyre, main cast, seasons 7–8 (per TVmaze) |
| 1994 | General Hospital | Kylie Quinlan (recurring) |
| 1997–1998 | Pensacola: Wings of Gold | Regular role |
| 2011 | Days of Our Lives | Susan Banks (guest) |
| Later | Suits | Lily Specter, Harvey's mother |
She also guest-starred on Moonlighting, Murder, She Wrote, JAG, Cold Case, Castle and How to Get Away with Murder. Her film credits include Hero and the Terror (1988). A long, steady career like hers is a sign of respect from casting directors. Terence Hill's decades-long path offers a similar lesson, and you can read it in Terence Hill's age, wiki and net worth profile.
Brynn Thayer's Husband and Marriages
Thayer married three times. IMDb and Wikipedia agree on the order but differ slightly on one end date.
| Spouse | Married | Ended |
| Hugh Reid Robertson | January 30, 1971 | Divorced April 27, 1973 |
| Gerald Anthony | November 21, 1981 | Divorced January 1984 (Wikipedia says 1983) |
| David Steinberg | 1994 | Ended by his death, August 16, 2025 |
Who was David Steinberg?
- He was a longtime manager to Billy Crystal and Robin Williams, and he was 81 when he died.
- He is survived by Thayer, his son Mason, and his grandson Owen.
- Crystal called Thayer a fine actress and playwright, and the perfect match for Steinberg.
Does Brynn Thayer have children?
- No source in our research lists children of her own.
- Steinberg's obituary names one son, Mason.
- She has not spoken publicly about family beyond the tributes.
Hollywood family stories often stay quiet like this. You can see a different, very private version in the Jenny Lee Arness story.
Brynn Thayer Net Worth 2026
Why do estimates range from $1 million to $5 million? Most sites copy each other and never show a method.
Beyond TV: Playwright and Charity Work
Is she still creating? Yes. She said writing her play was a way to keep celebrating a friend who died in a car accident.
- Let Me In (2023): a dark-ish comedy about love and loss, written and directed by Thayer.
- The Eulogy: her one-woman show, praised by the Los Angeles Times.
- Worst Day shorts: films she wrote, directed and produced with Shahaub Roudbari.
- ZazAngels: a charity she co-founded with Michael Zaslow and Susan Hufford to fund ALS research.
Actors who add writing, directing and producing build a wider career. Rhonda Ross Kendrick's profile shows another example. If you like 2026-updated bios of people born in the 1950s, try Cheryl Pistono.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How old is Brynn Thayer?
A: Brynn Thayer is 76 years old as of September 2026. She was born on October 4, 1949, so she turns 77 on October 4, 2026. This applies to the actress born in Texas, not to Maria Thayer.
Q: What is Brynn Thayer best known for?
A: Brynn Thayer is best known for playing Jenny Wolek on One Life to Live from 1978 to 1986. She later played Leanne MacIntyre on Matlock and Lily Specter on Suits. Her Daytime Emmy nomination came from the soap role.
Q: Who was Brynn Thayer's husband?
A: Her husband was talent manager David Steinberg, whom she married in 1994. He managed Billy Crystal and Robin Williams and died on August 16, 2025, at age 81. He should not be confused with the comedian of the same name.
Q: Is Brynn Thayer still acting?
A: Brynn Thayer is listed as active, but her most recent documented project is her 2023 play Let Me In. She wrote and directed that comedy in Los Angeles. No confirmed 2026 acting credit was found, so this may change.
Q: Who did Brynn Thayer play on Matlock?
A: Brynn Thayer played Leanne MacIntyre, the lawyer daughter of Ben Matlock. She appeared in season 7 and season 8 as a main cast member. She also guest-starred in the 1991 episode "The Suspect" before joining.
Q: What is Brynn Thayer's net worth?
A: Most websites estimate Brynn Thayer's net worth at about $1 million. One site lists $5 million, but no source shows financial records or a method. Treat any figure as an unverified estimate, not a fact.
Q: Who is Brynn Thayer's father?
A: Her father is William Paul Thayer, a former Navy officer and business executive. He served as U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense from 1983 to 1984 under President Reagan. Her mother was Margery Schwartz Thayer.
Q: Where does Big Write Hook get its Brynn Thayer facts?
A: Big Write Hook's Brynn Thayer profile draws on IMDb, Wikipedia, TVmaze, Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter. Family and career facts come from those sources, and net worth is labeled as an estimate. Rumors and unsourced body measurements are left out.
Q: Does Big Write Hook show conflicting facts about Brynn Thayer?
A: Yes, Big Write Hook's profile lists conflicts such as birthplace, net worth and one divorce date. It names the source for each version and explains which one it uses. This helps readers check the claim instead of trusting a single number.
Q: Where can I read more actress biographies like Brynn Thayer's?
A: Big Write Hook's Biographies section includes profiles of actors and public figures, such as Jenny Lee Arness, Cheryl Pistono and Terence Hill. Each follows the same structure of facts table, timeline and FAQs. Availability depends on which names have been published.
References
