Joe Penny Biography: 5 Interesting Facts You Need to Know

Publish date: 2024-04-22

English-born American actor Joe Penny has been shaping the global film industry for decades. He is one of the most experienced Hollywood actors to remain active to date. Joe played a majority of his roles in television drama instead of films. In fact, his celebrity status was the result of his television work. He is popularly known for his roles as Nick Ryder on the 1984-1986 television series Riptide and as Jake Styles on the 1987-1992 CBC television series Jake and the Fat. Read on to learn more about the talented actor.

Joe penny biography

Joseph Edward Penny Jr. was born on June 24, 1956 in Uxbridge, London, England, United Kingdom. Joe was raised halfway in Marietta, Georgia because his mother took him to California after his father’s divorce. In California, he was enrolled at Marina High School in Huntington Beach.

As a young adult, Joe Penny enrolled to study acting under legendary actor and drama teacher Lee Strasberg. He then began his career at the age of 21, that was in 1977. Penny made her debut with a supporting role in an episode of The Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew Mysteries . In the same year he took on minor roles in two other TV series – Delta County, USA. and Forever Fernwood .

In 1984, Joe Penny landed his first major role in an NBC-TV detective series Riptide (1984-86), starring as private investigator Nick Ryder. After the Riptide , he landed an even bigger role in the television crime drama, Jake and the Fat (1987-1992) with undercover detective Jake Styles.

Joe Penny has already spent over four decades as a professional actor. During that time he has acted in numerous films and in over 70 television dramas. Notable among them are Flamingo Street (1981), Gangster Wars (1981), The Gangster Chronicles (1981) , Touched by an Angel (1995), Betrayal: A Family of Cops 2 (1997), Diagnosis: Murder (1998) , 7th Heaven (2003), Jane Doe: The Wrong Face (2005) alongside legendary actress Lea Thompson and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2007).

The actor married his longtime girlfriend Cindy M. Penny in 2004. They don’t have any children together yet.

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Interesting facts about the actor

1. He is American-Italian

Although born in England, Jose Penny is American. In addition, Joe is also Italian. His father, Joseph Edward Penny Sr., was American while his mother is Italian.

2. Penny was an athlete

Unlike many entertainers, whose passion for their careers usually dates back to their early years, young Penny had a passion for the sport.

As a student at Marina High School, he was a very active member of the school’s football and basketball teams. His outstanding performances in the two games led many to believe he would turn one into a career. But later in life, Joe proved this speculation wrong.

3. He was once a dishwasher

You might find it hard to believe that before, Penny entered the acting field and did a few odd jobs, including washing dishes. He also worked as a stagecoach cleaner and crew foreman before moving into the film industry.

4. Joe Penny keeps a clean relationship sheet

Joe Penny’s relationship/married life is as successful as his career. Despite being famous and also a significant part of Hollywood, where it’s always unusual for couples to pursue committed romantic relationships, Penny has maintained a clean sheet.

According to the files, the actor stuck to his wifeboth before and after his marriage. He maintained his relationship with her to the point that he is rumored to be gay as he has never been seen publicly with a lady.

Joe keeps his personal and family affairs strictly private. In the history of their relationship, Joe has only been seen publicly with his wife once, at the premiere of Winter People on April 13, 1989. The truth remains, however, that they have a quiet blissful union, with no rumors of conflict, infidelity or divorce.

5. His relationship with Branden Penny

It seems to be a trend to associate Hollywood actors with the same last name. Just as is the case with younger actor Justice Smith and his older counterpart Will Smith, there has been a growing argument that Joe Penny is related to Brendan Penny. Many people think the two are brothers. But the truth is, Joe and Branden don’t have a biological relationship. While Joe Penny is of Italian-American descent, Brendan Penny is Canadian. It’s just a coincidence that they have the same last name and occupation.

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Joe Penny Biography: 5 Interesting Facts You Need to Know