A native New Yorker, Penner graduated from Sarah Lawrence and went to London to study at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. Returning to the US, he appeared in the off-Broadway productions of This Wooden O, What the Butler Saw, and Blue is for Boys. In Los Angeles, Penner co-produced the Beverly Hills Playhouse production of Zastrozzi: The Master of Discipline, and his performance in the title role earned him a Dramalogue Award for Best Actor. Penner's film credits include; LET THE DEVIL WEAR BLACK which he co-wrote and co-executive produced with his wife, director Stacy Title; INCONCEIVABLE (opposite "Rude Awakenings"'s Corinne Bohrer); WEDDING BELL BLUES, DOWN PERISCOPE, THE LAST SUPPER (which he co-executive produced), MANHUNT, CONEHEADS and the short film DOWN ON THE WATERFRONT, for which he was nominated for an Academy Award®. On television, Penner also starred in the TV series "Rude Awakenings" and had recurring roles on "Grapevine" and"The Nanny".  Nominated for Achievement in Live Action Short Films 1993: DOWN ON THE WATERFRONT - Producer (w. Stacy Title) 1 nomination