Penny Johnson Jerald, born March 14, 1961, in Baltimore, Maryland, is an American actress best known for her roles in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, 24, Castle, and The Orville. She has built a career spanning four decades, excelling in drama, science fiction, and comedy.

     Johnson grew up in Baltimore as one of seven siblings and aspired to be an actress from a young age. She attended Western High School before transferring to Park School of Baltimore. She later trained at the Juilliard School, where her classmates included Megan Gallagher, Jack Kenny, Jack Stehlin, and Lorraine Toussaint.

     Her acting career began with guest roles in American Playhouse (1983), The Paper Chase (1984–1986), and General Hospital (1986). She gained recognition as Beverly Barnes, the personal assistant in The Larry Sanders Show (1992–1998), earning CableACE and NAACP Image Award nominations. In 1995, she was cast as Kasidy Yates, the freighter captain and love interest of Benjamin Sisko, in Deep Space Nine, a role she played until the series ended in 1999.

     Beyond Star Trek, Johnson starred as Sherry Palmer, the wife of Senator David Palmer, in 24 (2001–2004), a role that made her a household name. She later played Captain Victoria "Iron" Gates in Castle (2011–2015) and Dr. Claire Finn in The Orville (2017–present).

     Johnson has been married to Gralin Jerald since 1982, and they have one child.