Is Penny Benjamin in the Original "Top Gun"? Penny, played by Jennifer Connelly, is not physically in the first "Top Gun" movie, but she does exist in it, though only mentioned in passing. She is never actually seen on screen.
In one scene, Maverick's past exploits are said to include "a history of high-speed passes over five air-control towers and one admiral's daughter," and Maverick's BFF Goose mutters Penny's name under his breath — making her the "admiral's daughter" in question.
Penny Benjamin used to be Maverick's girlfriend, long before Maverick fell in love with Top Gun instructor Charlotte "Charlie" Blackwood (portrayed by Kelly McGillis in the original Top Gun movie).
The night before the mission, Maverick visits Penny in his ceremonial white uniform, presumably to say goodbye in case he doesn't make it back. With Maverick flying in the mission, there are now only five places left.
Is Penny's house in Top Gun: Maverick the same as Charlie's?
They both have charming homes by the sea in the San Diego area but they are different. Charlie's note to Maverick in Top Gun said she lived at 100 Laurel Beach – a bungalow that is now a pie shop and tourist attraction; Penny's house number is 391.
Before being the central love interest in Top Gun: Maverick, Penny is actually mentioned in the original Top Gun, being one of Maverick's former love interests.
In the sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, Jennifer Connelly's character Penny Benjamin replaces Charlie as Maverick's love interest, addressing outdated attitudes and reflecting on Maverick's advancing age.
What is the backstory on Penny in Top Gun: Maverick?
Top Gun: Maverick
Penny owns a bar in proximity to the TOPGUN detachment's location and is a single mother to a daughter named Amelia Benjamin; Penny is presumably divorced, with Amelia mentioning that her father now lives in Hawaii with a different wife.
For civilians, this means no hats. Second, there's no touching the model airplanes, or as the prop in the film puts it, "He who touches any aircraft here shall buy the house a round of cheer." Finally, "whoever places their phone on the bar shall buy a round of cheer."
Why is Penny in Top Gun: Maverick and not Charlie?
Ultimately, instead of re-pairing Maverick with Charlie, the decision was made to properly reintroduce Penny Benjamin from Top Gun. However, Charlie actress Kelly McGillis believes that there's a different explanation for not being called back for Top Gun: Maverick: her age and looks.
Maverick and Penny may have had a romantic relationship several times over the years but he is not Amelia's father. Her real father is out of the picture and Penny raises her daughter as a single mother.
“I'd much rather feel absolutely secure in my skin and who and what I am at my age, as opposed to placing a value on all that other stuff,” she said. The 64-year-old actress told ET that she left Hollywood to get sober and focus on raising her family, and isn't necessarily itching to see the sequel anyway.
It is revealed that Maverick has consistently broken Penny's heart when he ends up leaving her as part of his cyclical behaviour, with Penny's teenage daughter Amelia Benjamin (Lyliana Wray) warning him not to do it again.
The Award-Winning Actor Was Diagnosed With Throat Cancer In 2015. Val Kilmer's own battle with throat cancer severely impacted his ability to speak, and the actors illness was incorporated into the Iceman Top Gun story for his appearance in the sequel.
The sequel - which was nominated for six Academy Awards - sees Maverick, now decades into his career, wooing a bar owner (and daughter of an admiral) named Penny Benjamin.
Penny then celebrates their arrangement by ringing a bell to let everybody in the place know Maverick is buying the entire bar a round … because he put his phone on the counter … which is against the rules … which he should know because they're listed on a tiny sign.
Who Is Penny Benjamin in “Top Gun: Maverick?” - IMDb. Who Is Penny Benjamin in “Top Gun: Maverick?” Penny Benjamin, played by Jennifer Connelly, steps in to fill a difficult gap with her character in the much-anticipated “Top Gun” sequel.
Before the final mission, Goose's son, Rooster is still furious at Maverick and angrily makes the point that it doesn't matter if Maverick comes back from the mission or not. After all, he's got no wife and kids to mourn him. Maverick takes these words to heart and promptly proposes to Penny.
Connelly played the ex-wife of Kinnear's character, with whom he is obsessed. The film was premiered during the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival. In 2015, Connelly starred in Shelter, the directorial debut by her husband, Paul Bettany.
In the early part of Top Gun when a commanding officer is chewing out Maverick and Goose, he scolds Maverick for his history of high-speed passes — not just of air control towers but of "one admiral's daughter." This causes Goose to lean over to Maverick and whisper the name "Penny Benjamin" into his ear.
The role of Penny's daughter, Amelia, in Top Gun: Maverick almost went to a different actress before being recast. The Amelia character could become more important in the future, potentially giving Maverick a father figure role.
What is Penny's daughters name in Top Gun: Maverick?
Amelia Benjamin is Penny's daughter. She loves her mother and has a good rapport with Maverick. With the stranger nature of Penny and Maverick's relationship, Amelia simply wants what's best for her mother.
