Jill Wagner: From Hollywood to Tennessee Farm Life and Military Connections

Jill Wagner has spent decades in the entertainment industry and stars in Taylor Sheridan’s popular show, ‘Lioness.’ Despite moving to California early in her career, she returned to her country roots and currently resides on a farm in Tennessee with her husband and two daughters. As the third season of ‘Lioness’ premiered earlier this month, here’s a closer look at Wagner’s personal life, her ties to the military, and how her husband influenced her role in the series.

Jill Wagner in ‘Lioness’

Wagner plays the role of Bobby, the skilled leader of the Lioness program’s Quick Reaction Force (QRF). She’s not just part of the show but was critical in pitching the idea to Taylor Sheridan. Wagner shared with Parade that Sheridan crafted the character of Bobby specifically for her, and she also serves as an executive producer on the series.

‘Taylor Sheridan was my old acting coach, and I had access to him,’ Wagner explained. ‘Taylor writes in an honest and raw manner. I didn’t want this show to turn into Barbies with guns. I wanted it to represent the women I knew and respected in the military, and he has accomplished this incredibly well.’

To effectively portray Bobby, Wagner engaged with real-life lionesses during the show’s research phase. She combined various personalities of these women to bring authenticity to her character.

Wagner and Lemanowicz’s Love Story

Jill Wagner and David Lemanowicz first met as teenagers; they later reconnected when Wagner visited Afghanistan on a USO tour while Lemanowicz was serving in the Air Force. Although they were both in relationships at the time, they met again a year later in Los Angeles when both were single, leading to their marriage in 2017.

Lemanowicz recounted how he spotted Wagner at an event and recognized her from past encounters, marking the beginning of their renewed romance.

Wagner’s Husband and Military Background

Wagner’s husband, David Lemanowicz, transitioned from a career as a professional hockey player to serving in the military. He joined the U.S. Army Reserve as a lieutenant, later earning a promotion to major in 2020.

David introduced Wagner to the Lioness program—a conversation that sparked the idea for the series. Wagner comes from a military family, with her grandfather, uncle, and father having served as Marines, reinforcing her connection to military themes.

Life on the Tennessee Farm

In 2016, Wagner and Lemanowicz selected a farmhouse in Tennessee to start their family, moving there from Los Angeles. Despite initial appearances, Wagner saw potential in the property, imagining her children playing in the yard and the restoration of its historical essence.

The couple shares two daughters, Army Gray Lemanowicz and Daisy Roberta Lemanowicz. Wagner explained her decision to settle in Tennessee, describing it as a magical place rooted in country living.

On a typical day at the farm, Wagner begins her morning on the front porch, attends to her flowers, and tackles daily maintenance challenges, bringing her family life full circle.

Season three of ‘Lioness’ is now streaming, releasing episodes each Sunday on Paramount+.