Leanne Goggins' bio: Life story and death of Walton Goggins' wife
Walton Goggins is a well-known actor, recognized for roles in Justified, Predators, Vice Principals, and The Shield. His recent appearance in The White Lotus has sparked renewed interest in his life, particularly in his late wife. Leanne Goggins' biography reveals that she tragically took her life in 2004. Here is what to know about Walton Goggins' first wife.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Leanne Goggins was the first wife of actor Walton Goggins.
- She remained married to him until her tragic death in late 2004.
- Their marriage reportedly had challenges, and her passing raised many unanswered questions.
Profile summary
| Full name | Leanne Knight Goggins |
| Gender | Female |
| Year of birth | 1967 |
| Date of death | 12 November 2004 |
| Age at death | 37 years |
| Place of birth | New Brunswick, Canada |
| Burial location | Alberta, Canada |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Hair colour | Dark brown |
| Eye colour | Brown |
| Spouse | Walton Goggins (until her death) |
| Father | Robert Brian "Bob" Knight |
| Mother | Peggy Kaun |
| Siblings | 1 |
| Profession | Dog trainer |
Leanne Goggins' bio
Leanne Knight Goggins, also known as Leanne Kaun Goggins was best known as the first wife of actor Walton Goggins. Her marriage to the well-known American actor brought her into the public eye.
Despite her connection to fame, Leanne was a private individual who largely stayed out of the spotlight. As a result, it is difficult to find Leanne Goggins' photos online.
How old was Walton Goggins' spouse when she died?
Leanne's age at death was 37 years. She was born in 1967 and passed away on 12 November 2004.
Where was Leanne Goggins from?
Walton Goggins' late wife was born in New Brunswick, Canada, to Robert Brian Knight and Peggy Kaun. She had one sibling named Jay, and her stepfather's name was Arnold Kaun.
Her nationality was Canadian, and she was Caucasian. Peggy raised her children in a Christian household.
Leanne's biological father, Robert Brian Knight, died on 26 March 2016 at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital in New Brunswick, Canada.
Source: Original
Childhood and educational background
Leanne was born with a condition called jaundice. This condition causes a yellowish tint to the skin and the whites of the eyes. It triggered a viral disease that affected her throughout her childhood.
Due to her condition, doctors placed her on a strict diet to help manage recurring infections. Her health challenges caused her to miss school frequently, which strained her parents' finances.
Despite these difficulties, Leanne completed both elementary and high school. She later obtained a degree and pursued a career in pet training.
Career
Leanne had a deep love for animals from an early age. However, due to her health issues, she was not allowed to keep pets during childhood.
As she grew older, her health improved. This gave her the chance to pursue her passion for caring for animals.
She launched a dog walking business in the Laurel Canyon neighborhood of Hollywood Hills. The business expanded and became one of the leading pet care firms in the area.
Leanne attracted a loyal client base, including Liberty, the official mascot of the Canyon News. In addition to managing dogs’ diets and overall health, she also provided professional dog training services.
How did Walton Goggins meet his wife?
Leanne met actor Walton Goggins in 2000. The two began dating shortly afterwards and quickly fell in love.
They got married in 2001, soon after Walton completed filming Shanghai Noon. Following their marriage, Leanne moved to Los Angeles to live with him.
After three years together, the couple began facing challenges. Their relationship became strained by frequent conflicts and misunderstandings.
Reports suggest that Walton's demanding work schedule caused tension in the marriage, leaving Leanne unhappy. She was also said to be dissatisfied with life in Los Angeles and wished to return to Canada, her home country.
Eventually, the situation worsened, and the two separated. However, they did not finalize a divorce, as Leanne passed away before the process could be completed.
What happened to Goggins' first wife?
Leanne Kaun Goggins’ death shocked many. It happened shortly after her separation from actor Walton Goggins. She died after a fatal jump from a high-rise building.
At around 4:00 p.m. on 12 November 2004, tragic news broke. Walton Goggins' first wife had passed away. She reportedly died after jumping from the 17-floor of a high-rise office block in Los Angeles, California. Leanne succumbed to the injuries caused by the fall.
It was later revealed that Leanne had been suffering from chronic depression. Reports also indicated that she had given Walton divorce papers just a few days before the tragic incident.
Source: Getty Images
Leanne Goggins' funeral
Leanne's memorial service was held on Friday, 19 November 2004, at 2.00 p.m. at Hollywood Funeral Home, 6000 Santa Monica Boulevard. According to an obituary of Leanne Goggins on Find a Grave, she was laid to rest at the Rocky View Garden of Peace Cemetery in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
In a 2025 interview with Vulture, actor Walton Goggins spoke about the impact of his first wife's death. He said,
I spent the next three years looking for an excuse – not to end it, but certainly putting myself in situations that were questionable, not with drugs or anything like that, just life experiences and traveling. I really went all over the world.
The funeral was a private affair. As a result, fans looking for an obituary photo of Leanne Goggins can only find it on her Find a Grave profile.
What are Leanne Goggins' movies?
Leanne did not appear in any movies. Some fans assume she was part of the entertainment industry because of her marriage to actor Walton Goggins. There is no profile of Leanne Goggins on IMDb. She was a professional dog trainer, not an actress.
Is Walton Goggins still married?
Following the death of Leanne, Walton remarried 7 years later. The famous American actor is married to filmmaker Nadia Conners. The two got married in August 2011. Nadia is best known for her award-winning environmental documentary titled The 11th Hour.
Who was Walton Goggins' wife 18 years ago?
In 2007, the actor was a widower. He lost his first wife, Leanne, in 2004, and remarried Nadia Conners in 2011.
How many kids does Walton Goggins have?
The award-winning actor is a father of one. Nadia and Walton Goggins' son is Augustus Goggins. He was born in February 2011, just six months before the couple got married.
Walton Goggins' movies
Actor Walton Goggins has starred in many movies. Some are listed below.
- Queen of the Ring (2024)
- The Luckiest Man in America (2024)
- The Uninvited (2024)
- Dreamin' Wild (2022)
- Fatman (2020)
- Words on Bathroom Walls (2020)
- Them That Follow (2019)
- Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
- Tomb Raider (2018)
- The Hateful Eight (2015)
Was Leanne Goggins in Justified?
No, Leanne did not star in the film. She was the first wife of actor Walton Goggins, who played Boyd Crowder in the show. Leanne passed away in 2004. That was six years before Justified premiered in 2010.
A photo of actress Joelle Carter, who played Ava Crowder in Justified, is often mistakenly identified as Leanne.
Does Joelle Carter look like Walton Goggins?
No, the two actors are not alike, but some fans believe they have a striking resemblance. Joelle and Walton starred in Justified.
Source: Getty Images
FAQs
- Who was Leanne Goggins? She was the first wife of American actor Walton Goggins.
- Where does Leanne Goggins hail from? She is from Alberta, Canada, where she was born and raised.
- What happened to Goggins' first wife? She took her own life in November 2004.
- What was Leanne Goggins' profession? She was a dog trainer.
- Who is Goggins married to? The actor remarried filmmaker Nadia Conners in 2011.
- What medical condition did Leanne Goggins suffer from? She was born with jaundice that predisposed her to infections.
Leanne Goggins' bio is intriguing. She was the first wife of Walton Goggins. The two parted ways in 2004, but Leanne took her life a few days after filing for a divorce.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke
Simon Ayub (Lifestyle writer) Simon Ayub is a Content Manager, Strategist, and writer who joined Tuko's team in 2019. He graduated in 2014 with a BSc in Agricultural Economics and is a CPA. Simon has over a decade of experience creating content for nyagah.co.ke, the Hoth and other platforms. He works on content encompassing biographies, fashion and lifestyle, gaming, and more. Simon was awarded the "Writer of the Year" 2024 on Tuko. In 2023, Simon finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques and, in 2024, expanded their skills through the Google Initiative Course. You can reach him via simonayub@gmail.com.
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