Jerry Penacoli
Correspondent

Multiple Emmy award-winner Jerry Penacoli has served as a correspondent for "Extra," now in its milestone 16th season since 2000. A respected journalist, he has also been a host for E! Entertainment Television and received a daytime Emmy nomination for his excellence in reporting.

Penacoli began his career at WJKS in Jacksonville, Florida, as a general assignment reporter and news anchor. He quickly garnered the attention of WTVJ in Miami, where he served double duty as host and co-producer of "PM Magazine." Penacoli went on to KYW-TV in Philadelphia, where he was named main anchor of the prime newscasts and host of the live morning talk show "People Are Talking." As a result of hosting, reporting, producing and directing, Penacoli earned six Emmy awards. He also garnered the Iris National Programming Award for his on-camera work and was named Best Host at the International Television Film Festival.

After nearly a decade in Philadelphia, Penacoli moved to New York to co-host the national talk show, "Attitudes," with Linda Dano on Lifetime. While there, he says he "caught the acting bug" and began working on stage off-Broadway and also did several soap stints including "One Life To Live."

Penacoli relocated to Los Angeles in 1992 and won roles on CBS's "The Bold and The Beautiful," and NBC's "Santa Barbara" and "Days of Our Lives," for which he is often recognized for his compelling portrayal of the character "Miles Malloy."

During this time, Penacoli also began working at E! Entertainment Television. He has guest-starred on several major television shows, including ABC's "The Practice," the sitcoms "Cheers" and "Ellen" and one of daytime's favorite soap operas, "The Young and the Restless." He appeared opposite Dwayne Johnson, aka The Rock, at the 2007 World Stunt Awards. Additionally, Penacoli made a guest starring role in the 2007 season finale of "Stargate Atlantis." Jerry will appear in the upcoming George Gallo film "Columbus Circle" starring Selma Blair, Giovanni Ribisi, Jason Lee and Beau Bridges.

Penacoli is also an established film actor and is set to play a supporting role in "Anyone's Son" directed by Danny Aiellom to be released in 2008 and has appeared in such features as "Separate Ways," playing opposite C. Thomas Howell and Brandy Ledford, Fox Searchlight Films' "Women On Top," starring Penelope Cruz and Dreamworks' "Galaxy Quest," starring Tim Allen and Sigourney Weaver.

Penacoli attended the University of Bridgeport, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor's degree in theatre and journalism.

Off-screen, Penacoli's passion is painting.  To view his art, log on to his personal site www.jerrypenacoli.com. To read his blogs about behind the scenes at EXTRA, and to get the stories behind the story, go to www.jerrypenacoli.blogspot.com.