By Lynn Pennock
Contributed

Chris Pennock first came to Idyllwild 40 years ago to rock climb with his stunt man. It was then that he fell in love with the beautiful surroundings of the Idyllwild mountains. Chris often came up on weekends to hike with friends.

In 1988, he moved here to Idyllwild with his new wife Lynn and her two children, Jamila Dunn and CJ Dunn, thinking it was a great place to raise a family.

Chris Pennock
PHOTO COURTESY OF LYNN PENNOCK

In 1989, the family with a new baby, Tara Pennock, moved to Princeton, New Jersey for one year where he starred on “Guiding Light” which filmed in New York City, the place where his acting career began.

Chris Pennock first came to Idyllwild 40 years ago to rock climb with his stunt man. It was then that he fell in love with the beautiful surroundings of the Idyllwild mountains. Chris often came up on weekends to hike with friends.


In 1988, he moved here to Idyllwild with his new wife Lynn and her two children, Jamila Dunn and CJ Dunn, thinking it was a great place to raise a family.


In 1989, the family with a new baby, Tara Pennock, moved to Princeton, New Jersey for one year where he starred on “Guiding Light” which filmed in New York City, the place where his acting career began.


In 1967, he appeared on Broadway in “The Rose Tattoo” and “A Patriot for Me.” He then landed a role on the popular horror soap opera “Dark Shadows” where he played seven different roles. He touched the hearts of thousands of “Dark Shadows” fans throughout his life on social media and at festivals.


After moving to LA, he appeared in multiple guest star roles on nighttime television. He played Mitch during the Luke and Laura period of “General Hospital.” He appeared in “Frances,” an Academy Award-nominated film opposite Jessica Lang.


In Idyllwild, Chris raised his family with Lynn and commuted to LA to act on “Baywatch,” “Melrose Place” and other TV shows. He was a lifetime member of the famed Actors Studio.


In the last 15 years, Chris enjoyed acting in student films at Idyllwild Arts Academy and reading poetry at Beat Night. He stayed busy doing plays at The Actors Studio, doing the web series “High” for Bandon Miller and multiple films for Ansel Faraj. He was often seen on the Scenic Trail hiking or running with his dog Boris, and later, his dog Yogi.


Yahoo news quoted his wife Lynn as saying, “On Feb. 12, Chris Pennock, a lifelong Buddhist, passed peacefully into the pure land of Dewachen leaving only a rainbow body behind.”


He was a member of KML (Idyllwild Dharma Center), the local Tibetan Buddhist Sangha, where a tree will be planted in his honor.


He will be terribly missed by friends and family alike.