Janet Ellenmarie Penner's journey in the world of acting began in her hometown of Portland, Oregon, where she started performing in local theater productions. Her early start in the industry led to her feature film debut in Don Gronquist's 1982 slasher film Unhinged, where she took on the unique role of Marion Penrose, a gender-bending killer. The film received significant attention after it was banned in the United Kingdom and labeled a "video nasty".
After her debut, Penner continued to appear in occasional locally-filmed features, including the supernatural thriller The Haunting of Sarah Hardy in 1989 and the Walt Disney live-action film Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey in 1993. Her television credits include an episode of the series Leverage in 2008.
In addition to her film work, Penner has had a long-standing career in repertory theater, starring in numerous stage productions with the Portland Civic Theatre, the Artists Repertory Theatre, the Oregon Children's Theater, and the Willamette Repertory Theatre.
