If you've been a Hallmark Channel fan at any point in the last decade, you've no doubt spotted Brendan Penny's charms. The Canadian-born actor has starred alongside Rachael Leigh Cook in Hallmark's "Vineyard" film series, played one of the O'Brien clan in "Chesapeake Shores" and expanded his Countdown to Christmas repertoire with 2023's "A Season for Family."
Brendan Penny expertly switches between swoon-worthy romances (Did you see him woo Erin Krakow in "The Wedding Cottage"?) and heartfelt family drama. In real life, the 45-year-old actor is a dedicated family man. He's been married since August 2010, and he shares two children with his wife. Penny has chosen to keep all of their names private, per US Weekly.
Here's everything you need to know about Hallmark star Brendan Penny, from his college years and breakout roles to his thoughts on the end of "Chesapeake Shores."
Brendan James Penny was born November 9, 1978 in Ottawa, Ontario. He earned a B.S. in Accounting from Fanshawe College in Ontario before attending the Lyric School of Acting in Vancouver. He began his professional acting career with a small role in the 2003 TV series "Jake 2.0," following it up with guest parts in shows like "The L Word" and "Smallville." His first series regular role was on "Whistler" (2006-2007). He's also appeared in the film "I Love You, Beth Cooper" and starred in the series "Assistants."
Penny made his Hallmark debut in the 2014 Hallmark Movies & Mysteries flick "Along Came a Nanny." He followed it up with holiday romances like "'Tis the Season for Love," "Magical Christmas Ornaments," the Lacey Chabert starrer "Pride, Prejudice and Mistletoe" and "Time for Them to Come Home for Christmas."
'A Season for Family.' (Hallmark)
In 2016, Penny joined the Hallmark family drama "Chesapeake Shores" as Kevin O'Brien, the eldest son of Megan (Barbara Niven) and Mick O'Brien (the late-great Treat Williams). The series wrapped its six-season run in 2022. Penny has described "Chesapeake Shores" as a "great experience," telling Just Jared in 2023 that he "got great relationships" out of the series.
But the time was right for the O'Brien family saga to end, he added: "There's only so much time that adult children, young adults, can live at home and have their problems at home where they [grew up]."
Since the series finale of "Chesapeake Shores," Penny has expanded his Hallmark repertoire with the 2023 films "The Wedding Cottage," co-starring Erin Krakow, and "A Season for Family."
Outside the always-inviting Hallmark bubble, Penny had a starring role in the crime drama series "Motive" (2013-2016). He's also appeared in TV shows like AMC's "The Killing" and The CW's "Supernatural."
