Fred Penner

Fred Penner

Frederick Ralph Cornelius Penner, CM OM (born November 6, 1946) is a Canadian children's entertainer who gives appearances throughout North America. His television show, Fred Penner's Place, aired for 30 Minutes on CBC in Canada from 1985 to 1997. It was co-produced by Nickelodeon in 1989 and 1990.

Penner was born on November 6, 1946 to Lydia Agathe Penner (née Winters) and Edward W. Penner. Penner had four siblings: Susan, Carol, Wesley and Terry.

Penner was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. At the early age of four, Penner began making up songs while travelling on the bus with his mother. He taught himself how to play the guitar when he was in grade school, and performed in school choirs and pageants. Through his experience with his sister Susan's Down Syndrome, he recognized the therapeutic value of music.

Penner received his high school diploma at Kelvin High School, where he took lead roles in the Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. After graduating from the University of Winnipeg with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and psychology, he spent time working with mentally and physically challenged children, using music to comfort and entertain. In 1977, he met choreographer and future wife Odette Heyn, with whom he started a children's dance theatre company. Penner accepted an offer to do a recording, which resulted in the album The Cat Came Back, which launched his career and established him as one of Canada's leading children's entertainers.

In 1984, he appeared on the children's television show, The Elephant Show, singing his song "The Cat Came Back". In 1991, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada for "using music and song to entertain and educate his young audience". In 2011, he was made a Member of the Order of Manitoba.

Penner currently lives in Winnipeg with his wife Odette and his four children: Damien, Danica, Kendra and Hayley.