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Actor from “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Forrest Gump,” Bob Penny, dies at 87
04
Jan
Jan
Professor and actor Bob Penny, who had roles in Sweet Home Alabama and Forrest Gump, died on Christmas Day
Bob Penny, who starred in movies like Forrest Gump and Sweet Home Alabama, passed away at the age of 87.
The obituary for the Huntsville, Alabama, native who passed away on Sunday, Christmas Day, does not mention a cause of death.
The actor, poet, and teacher is survived by his sister Jean Marion You, brother William Earl Penny, six nieces, and one nephew. The family stated that a celebration of life will be held in Birmingham at a later time in the obituary that was posted on the website of the Laughlin Family Funeral home.
Penny worked on over 40 films and TV shows, credited on IMDB as “Crony” in the 1994 Oscar-winning film Forrest Gump. In 2002’s Sweet Home Alabama starring Reese Witherspoon, he played small-town lawyer Wallace Buford.
Growing up in North Carolina, Penny eventually came back to his home state, where he taught Poetry and Prose for 21 years at University of Alabama at Birmingham, the site noted.
In 1990, the university offered Penny a job as a full-time professor in Theater and English but he declined, instead deciding to retire from teaching. He was then able to focus more time on acting and continued to take roles in film and TV for another 26 years, including playing a juror in My Cousin Vinny with Joe Pesci and Marisa Tomei.
Concluding the tribute, the family gave a special thanks to Penny’s longtime friend and caregiver Lakin Boyd and the staff of Thrive Assisted Living in Huntsville.
Meghan Penny, Bob’s niece, shared a reflection of her uncle on her Facebook page. “It’s taken me a few days of quiet reflection to be able to share this news. Uncle Bob (Dad’s brother) passed peacefully in his sleep Christmas day,” Meghan wrote.
“Bob wasn’t just an Uncle to me. We held a special bond that sustained and enriched my life beyond measure. He was my confidant and mentor; my laughter companion and best friend. I draw great comfort in knowing that he is now free,” she further expressed of her loss.
” ‘Goodnight sweet prince. And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest,’ ” she added.
Seizeshirt condolences to the family…
