Sydney Penny

Actress

Birthday August 7, 1971

Birth Sign Leo

Birthplace Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.

Age 52 years old

Nationality United States

Height 5′ 4″

#29008 Most Popular

1971

Sydney Margaret Penny (born August 7, 1971) is an American actress.

She began her career as a child performer appearing in made-for-television movies.

She made her big screen debut in the Western film Pale Rider directed by Clint Eastwood.

1979

She made her screen debut playing the supporting role in the made-for-television movie The Night Rider (1979) starring David Selby, Kim Cattrall and Hildy Brooks.

1981

She performed as Lucy Van Pelt in the 1981 television special It's Magic, Charlie Brown and also that year appeared in the Primetime Emmy Award-nominated television movie Through the Magic Pyramid.

She played Tessa Dahl in the television film The Patricia Neal Story (1981) starring Glenda Jackson and Peg Adams in The Capture of Grizzly Adams (1982).

At the 4th Youth in Film Awards, Penny received two Best Young Actress in a Movie Made for Television nominations for this performances, as well one Best Young Actress in a Television Special nomination for The Circle Family.

She later guest-starred on Fame, T. J. Hooker, St. Elsewhere and The Twilight Zone.

1983

In 1983, Penny played Young Meggie Cleary in the miniseries The Thorn Birds.

For her performance she won Best Young Actress in a Movie Made for Television at the 5th Youth in Film Awards.

1984

She received total six Young Artist Awards nominations, winning two for playing Young Meggie Cleary in the miniseries The Thorn Birds (1984), and for Pale Rider.

1985

In 1985, she starred as Megan Wheeler in the Western film Pale Rider directed by Clint Eastwood, released on June 26, 1985.

For this performance she was awarded a Young Artist Award for Exceptional Performance By a Young Actress - Motion Picture at the 7th Youth in Film Awards in December 1985.

The following year, Penny went to star in the science fiction family film Hyper Sapien: People from Another Star distributed by Tri-Star Pictures.

1986

Penny also starred in the sitcom The New Gidget (1986–1988), and played Bernadette Soubirous in the French drama film Bernadette (1988) and its sequel The Passion of Bernadette (1990) both directed by Jean Delannoy.

She starred as Danielle 'Dani' Collins-Griffin in the syndicated sitcom The New Gidget from 1986 to 1988.

1988

She later played the role of Bernadette Soubirous in the French drama film Bernadette (1988) and its sequel The Passion of Bernadette (1990) both directed by Jean Delannoy.

1989

She starred alongside Sophia Loren in the Italian drama film Running Away (1989), and opposite Malcolm McDowell in the Switzerland-filmed thriller film In the Eye of the Snake (1990).

1991

In 1991 she appeared in the made-for-television horror film Child of Darkness, Child of Light.

1992

Penny starred as B.J. Walker during the final season of NBC soap opera Santa Barbara (1992–1993), receiving Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series nomination.

In 1992, Penny made her daytime television debut playing the role of B.J. Walker in the NBC soap opera, Santa Barbara appearing on show to its finale in 1993.

For her performance, she received Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series nomination.

1993

She later joined the cast of ABC soap opera All My Children (1993–1997, 2002-05, 2008) playing the role of Julia Santos Keefer receiving Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series nomination in 1995.

She played the role of Julia Santos Keefer on the ABC soap opera All My Children, from 1993 to 1996, with guest appearances in 1997 and 2002 and returned to the show in 2005.

1995

She received Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series nomination in 1995.

1996

She returned to film starring in independent productions Hearts Adrift (1996), Enchanted (1998) and The Pawn.

1998

She also starred in the drama series Hyperion Bay (1998–1999) and Largo Winch (2001–2003).

Penny was born in Nashville, Tennessee, and raised in Chatsworth, California, the daughter of former Western Swing bandleader and comedian Hank Penny and his wife, Shari.

She began performing when she was three years old singing "My Little Pony" during her father's concert.

From 1998 to 1999, Penny starred alongside Mark-Paul Gosselaar in the WB drama series, Hyperion Bay.

1999

In 1999 she took the role of Meg Cummings in the NBC soap opera Sunset Beach replacing Susan Ward for one month during her filming the movie The In Crowd.

The serial's creator, Aaron Spelling, was impressed with Penny's portrayal of Meg so he cast her in another series he created.

She had a recurring role as Josie Oliver during the final season of Beverly Hills, 90210.

2001

From 2001 to 2003, Penny starred in the internationally-produced action adventure series, Largo Winch.

2003

In August 2003, she was cast as Samantha Kelly on The Bold and the Beautiful.

2004

The character never caught on and Penny was bumped to recurring status in late 2004.

2005

She last appeared on April 26, 2005, and rejoined All My Children a few months later.

She stayed with the show for an additional three years.

Since leaving daytime television, Penny guest-starred on Drop Dead Diva and Pretty Little Liars.

2008

Penny left the show in May 2008 when Julia was killed off.