5 Fascinating Facts About Kimberlea Cloughley: The Private Life Of A Photographer And Tommy Lee Jones’ Ex-Wife

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Kimberlea Cloughley is a name that often surfaces in the context of Hollywood history, specifically as the second wife of Oscar-winning actor Tommy Lee Jones. However, reducing her identity to just an "ex-wife" overlooks a rich and diverse professional background that spans photography, photojournalism, graphic design, and User Experience (UX) design. As of December 20, 2025, Cloughley continues to live a fiercely private life, successfully maintaining her distance from the public eye while reportedly focusing on her creative and design-related professional endeavors.

Her story is one of a professional who built a solid career behind the camera and in the design world, only to be briefly thrust into the media spotlight through a high-profile marriage. Today, she is best known for her creative pursuits and her role as a mother to two accomplished children, Austin Leonard Jones and Victoria Kafka Jones, both of whom have followed their parents into the world of film and media. This deep dive explores the multifaceted career and private world of Kimberlea Cloughley, providing the most current and relevant details about her life today.

Kimberlea Cloughley: A Comprehensive Professional and Personal Profile

Kimberlea Cloughley has intentionally kept her personal life out of the public domain, making concrete, verifiable biographical details scarce. However, a profile compiled from available records paints a picture of a well-educated and creatively driven professional.

  • Full Name: Kimberlea Gayle Cloughley
  • Place of Birth: San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
  • Nationality: American
  • Marital Status: Divorced (from Tommy Lee Jones)
  • Ex-Spouse: Tommy Lee Jones (Married: 1981; Divorced: 1996)
  • Children: Austin Leonard Jones (Son, born 1982) and Victoria Kafka Jones (Daughter, born 1991)
  • Education: Graduated from the University of Texas (Photojournalism/Photography) and reportedly holds a degree in Graphic Design from Pratt Institute in New York.
  • Known Occupations: Professional Photographer, Photojournalist, UX Designer, Part-time Actress.
  • Known For: Her marriage to actor Tommy Lee Jones and her work in photography and design.
  • Current Status: Maintains a private life, focusing on her professional career.

From Photojournalism to UX Design: Cloughley's Diverse Career Path

Unlike many celebrity spouses who leverage their connections for a career in front of the camera, Kimberlea Cloughley established herself as a skilled professional focused on visual storytelling and design. Her career journey highlights a strong foundation in both traditional media and modern technology.

The Early Years: Photography and Photojournalism

Cloughley’s primary professional identity is rooted in photography and photojournalism. She is a graduate of the University of Texas, where she studied photography, a field she pursued as her main profession. Her work as a photojournalist involves capturing and documenting events and stories through images, a role that demands both technical skill and a keen eye for narrative. This career choice is a testament to her desire to build a life independent of her high-profile marriage.

It was during the early stages of her career that she met Tommy Lee Jones. Conflicting reports suggest she was a photojournalist and part-time actress when they crossed paths. They met on the Texas set of the 1981 film *Back Roads*, where she was reportedly working as an extra or in a production capacity, though some sources state she was a photojournalist at the time.

Transition into Graphic and UX Design

In a significant professional pivot that showcases her adaptability, Cloughley reportedly expanded her skill set into the world of digital design. Some sources indicate she holds a degree in Graphic Design from the prestigious Pratt Institute in New York. This academic background led her to the field of User Experience (UX) design, where she has worked on various projects. UX design is a highly specialized field focused on improving the usability, accessibility, and pleasure provided in the interaction between the user and a product, often a digital interface. This career shift from traditional media to cutting-edge technology demonstrates her continuous pursuit of creative and technical excellence, providing a fresh perspective to her professional narrative.

The Impact of a Private Life and Her Children's Careers

Following her divorce from Tommy Lee Jones in 1996 after 15 years of marriage, Kimberlea Cloughley retreated further from the public eye. Her decision to maintain a limited and private social media presence is the most significant "update" on her current life, confirming her commitment to privacy away from the celebrity spotlight.

Raising Austin and Victoria Jones

Cloughley’s legacy extends through her two children with Jones, both of whom have carved out their own paths in the entertainment industry. She successfully raised Austin Leonard Jones and Victoria Kafka Jones, who were born in 1982 and 1991, respectively.

  • Austin Leonard Jones: He has followed in his father's footsteps, becoming an actor and composer. His credits include roles in films such as *The Homesman* (2014) and *Wander* (2020), and he has also contributed to the music industry.
  • Victoria Kafka Jones: Victoria has also worked in the film industry, notably in production and as a crew member. She is known to have worked alongside her father on some projects, though the relationship has had its reported challenges, highlighting the complexities of a life in the film world.

The success of her children in their respective fields is an indirect reflection of the stable, private environment Cloughley provided, allowing them to pursue creative careers without the constant scrutiny she herself experienced during her marriage.

Kimberlea Cloughley’s Enduring Legacy Beyond Hollywood

The public's enduring curiosity about Kimberlea Cloughley is often fueled by her association with a major Hollywood figure. However, a deep dive into her life reveals a professional woman with a strong, independent career. She has successfully navigated the transition from a photojournalist documenting the world to a UX designer shaping the digital experience, all while raising a family. Her choice to step away from the media circus and maintain a quiet, professional life in Texas or New York is her most powerful statement.

She represents a unique example of someone who was briefly part of the Hollywood elite but chose a path of professional focus and personal discretion. Her work, spanning traditional photography and modern design, provides a rich, complex identity that stands on its own, far removed from the narrative of a celebrity ex-spouse. The lack of recent sensational news confirms her successful transition into a fulfilling, private life, making her a figure of quiet professional authority rather than a media spectacle.

kimberlea cloughley
kimberlea cloughley

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