 Forrest 's widow , Christine ( Katharine Hepburn ) , refuses to speak to reporters throughout the proceedings . However , O 'Malley befriends youngster Jeb ( Darryl Hickman ) , son of the gatekeeper of the Forrest estate , Jason Rickards ( Howard Da Silva ) . The grief @-@ stricken boy shows him a way into the mansion , where he meets Christine . Though she is cordial enough , she refuses any cooperation with his biography . After O 'Malley leaves , Forrest 's private secretary , Clive Kerndon ( Richard Whorf ) , fearful of how the reporter will react to the brushoff , convinces Christine to offer her help so that they can steer him in the direction they want . 
