Joining Matlock in later seasons as Leanne MacIntyre, Ben Matlock’s daughter, Brynn Thayer brought a new dynamic to the show—more modern, feminist, and emotionally nuanced. Offscreen, her life mirrored the same intelligence and passion she portrayed on camera.
Brynn Thayer was born into a family of writers and intellectuals. From an early age, she was fascinated by literature and psychology, but eventually chose acting as her path. Before Matlock, she had recurring roles in soaps like One Life to Live and guest appearances on prime-time dramas.
While filming Matlock, Thayer formed close friendships with the cast and crew, especially Andy Griffith, who she once described as “a quiet giant.” But unlike some actors who pursued Hollywood stardom, Brynn always had one foot in the world of activism. Even at the height of her TV career, she was volunteering at women’s shelters and teaching literacy programs in underfunded schools.
After Matlock, she began to devote more time to humanitarian work. She co-founded a nonprofit focused on bringing clean water and educational resources to women in West Africa. She also served as a board member for several U.S.-based organizations aimed at youth mental health.
In recent years, Brynn has appeared sporadically in indie films and TV guest spots, but she prioritizes her charity work and spends much of her time in Vermont with her husband, a retired photojournalist. Her life today is less about cameras and more about connection. She says,
“I played a woman fighting for justice. Now I get to live that mission in a very real way.”
