Who was Leanne Goggins? The untold truth about Walton Goggins' wife
Walton Goggins Jr. rose to fame through his powerful roles in shows like Justified and The Shield, but his wife Leanne lived a life away from the spotlight. So, who was Leanne Goggins? She was best known as the late wife of the acclaimed actor. Her story has remained largely untold.

Source: Instagram
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Leanne Goggins was a Canadian animal lover and businesswoman.
- She was Walton Goggins’s first wife.
- She battled chronic depression.
- Leanne Goggins died by jumping from a high-rise building in Los Angeles.
Leanne Goggins' profile summary
Full name | Leanne Knight Goggins |
Gender | Female |
Birth year | 1967 |
Died | 12 November 2004 (aged 37) |
Place of birth | New Brunswick, Canada |
Buried | Alberta, Canada |
Nationality | Canadian |
Ethnicity | White |
Sexuality | Straight |
Hair colour | Dark brown |
Eye colour | Brown |
Mother | Peggy Kaun |
Father | Robert Brian "Bob" Knight |
Siblings | One |
Profession | Dog trainer |
Who was Leanne Goggins?
Leanne Goggins was the first wife of American actor Walton Goggins, best known for his roles in Justified, The Shield, and Django Unchained. Born in Canada, Leanne was a passionate animal lover, fitness enthusiast, and entrepreneur.
She ran a successful dog-walking and pet-care business in Los Angeles and was known for her kindness and dedication to animals.
Leanne was born in 1967 in New Brunswick, Canada. She died on 12 November 2004, aged 37, in Los Angeles, California. Her parents were Peggy Kaun and Robert Brian Knight. She also had a step-dad known as Arnold Kaun and a brother, Jason "Jay", who lives in Australia.
Leanne's biological father, Robert, died on 26 March 2016 at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital in New Brunswick, Canada.
What happened to LeAnn Goggins?
She struggled with chronic depression, which ultimately led to her tragic death in 2004. Her passing deeply affected Walton Goggins and left many who knew her mourning the loss of a gentle, caring soul.
Leanne Goggins’s story remains a poignant reminder of the unseen emotional battles that many face behind closed doors.

Source: Original
Leanne had jaundice while growing up. Jaundice is a medical condition in which the skin, sclera (whites of the eyes) and mucous membranes turn yellow. The disease resulted in her starting school late. However, she overcame the condition and studied till college.
Leanne Goggins's profession
Leanne was Canyon News' first advertiser and a professional dog trainer. Her love for animals began at a young age despite being unable to own pets due to her health problems. However, as her medical condition improved with age, she was able to pursue her passion.
In the early 2000s, Leanne began a dog-walking business in the Laurel Canyon neighbourhood of Los Angeles. She named the business Canyon Dog Walking. Among her notable clients was Liberty, the official mascot dog of Canyon News, an English-language weekly newspaper published in Beverly Hills, California.
When did Walton Goggins and Leanne Goggins get married?
The former couple married in 2001, having dated for approximately one year. The pair met in 1999 while filming the movie Shanghai Noon in Canada. After marrying, Leanne relocated to Laurel Canyon in Los Angeles, California, to live with her husband and their dog, Beulah.
However, after three years, the marriage had started to crumble. Leanne was allegedly unhappy with her husband's busy schedule. In addition, she preferred living somewhere other than Los Angeles, California and opted for her homeland in Canada.
Eventually, Leanne requested a divorce, ending the four-year-long marriage. The pair then reportedly deleted each other's photos online and stopped communicating.
How did Walton Goggins' wife die?
She died of injuries sustained from falling from a California building. On 12 November 2004, at around 4 p.m., Leanne jumped from the 17th floor of a Los Angeles building, resulting in severe injuries that ultimately led to her death.
According to police reports, Leanne Goggins's death was self-inflicted, and there was no sign of foul play. She was also struggling with chronic depression, a factor which may have contributed to her death.
In a 2019 interview, Walton opened up on how her first wife's death affected him. He said,
I drifted for upwards of three years after that. It took me a really long time to come back from it,
Walton continued,
If it weren't for the people in my life that cared about me, that stepped in and helped me understand that life goes on, I don't know what would have happened.
Leanne Goggins's funeral
According to Find a Grave, the family of Leanne Goggins laid her to rest at the Rocky View Garden of Peace Cemetery in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Her memorial service was on Friday, 19 November 2004, at 2 p.m. at Hollywood Funeral Home, 6000 Santa Monica Boulevard.
This obituary picture of Leanne Goggins was reportedly used during her 2004 memorial service in Los Angeles and later shared on platforms like 'Find a Grave'. It's a solemn yet warm portrait that reflects how loved she was by those who knew her.
Unlike red carpet or publicity images, this particular Leanne Goggins photo serves as a lasting tribute to her life, remembered more for her kindness and love of animals than for public fame.
What is Walton Goggins doing now?
Walton is still an actor, featuring in various films and TV shows. According to IMDb, the actor has around 105 acting credits. Here are some of the latest Walton Goggins movies and TV shows:
Movies
Year | Titles | Roles |
2010 | Predators | Stans |
2012 | Django Unchained | Billy Crash |
2015 | The Hateful Eight | Captain Chris Mannix |
2022 | Dreamin' Wild | Joe |
2024 | The Luckiest Man in America | Peter |
2024 | Queen of The Ring | Jack Pfefer |
2024 | What If | Sonny Burch |
TV shows
Year | Titles | Roles |
2016-2015 | Justified Boyd | Crowder |
2016-2017 | Vice Principals | Lee Russell |
2017-2018 | Six | Richard 'Rip' Taggart |
2019-present | The Righteous Gemstones | Baby Billy Freeman |
2019 | The Unicorn | Wade Felton |
2021-present | Invincible | Cecil Stedman (voice) |
2021 | The White Lotus | Rick Hatchett |
2023 | I'm a Virgo | Hero |
2022-2023 | George & Tammy | Earl 'Peanutt' Montgomery |
2023 | Justified: City Primaeval | Crowder |
2024-present | Fallout | Cooper Howard |
Who is Goggins married to?
The American actor is married to filmmaker Nadia Conners. Nadia is a director, writer, and producer known for her various roles in The 11th Hour and This is All of Us as a director.
What happened to Walton Goggins' wife?
His first wife Leanne tragically took her own life back in 2004. She was a dog-walking business owner, per USA Today, and she and Walton were married for three years before she disappeared and died.
Does Walton Goggins have any children?
Yes, the actor has one child. Born on January 1, 2011, in Los Angeles, he is the only child of Walton and his wife, filmmaker Nadia Conners.
Does Joelle Carter look like Leanne Goggins?
No, Joelle Carter and Leanne Goggins are not the same person, and they do not look alike. Joelle is an actress, known for her role in "Justified", while Leanne was the first wife of actor Walton Goggins. She tragically passed away in 2004.
Who was Leanne Goggins? Though her name is often overshadowed by her husband's Hollywood fame, Leanne was a remarkable woman in her own right. Her love for animals, adventurous spirit, and quiet strength painted a portrait of someone who deeply touched those around her.
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Source: YEN.com.gh

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