leach was born in petersburg, virginia on august 26, 1929. a performance of "pygmalion" he saw as a teenager inspired him to work in theatre. after graduating from the college of william & mary in 1953, leach went on to earn both a master's degree and a doctorate from the university of illinois. leach began teaching at sarah lawrence college in 1958. he also taught at the yale school of drama during the years 1978 and 1979.