Toronto, ON — The Canadian arts community is in mourning following the sudden and heartbreaking passing of Penny Noble, a revered talent agent and co-leader of Noble Caplan Abrams Talent Agency. Ms. Noble died unexpectedly on June 22, 2025, at the age of 58, following complications related to a private battle with cancer. Her passing has left a profound silence in an industry she helped shape, nurture, and champion for more than three decades.
Born and raised in Toronto, Penny Noble was a passionate and determined force who found her calling not in the spotlight, but just behind it—advocating for those who lit up the stage and screen. Her journey from a drama-loving teen at Earl Haig Secondary School to one of Canada’s most influential talent agents is the kind of story she spent her life helping others tell.
Joining Noble Caplan Abrams in 1998, Penny quickly rose to prominence for her sharp instincts, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment to the creative process. Under her leadership, the agency became a powerhouse in Canadian film, television, and theatre—home to some of the country’s most celebrated actors, writers, and directors.
“Penny was more than a manager—she was a guardian of dreams,” said her longtime business partner, David Abrams. “She saw potential in people before they saw it in themselves.”
Throughout her career, Penny championed inclusion and opportunity, co-founding the Toronto Women in Film & Television Mentorship Program and volunteering tirelessly with ACTRA and Theatre Ontario. Her dedication earned her the 2018 Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Outstanding Contribution—just one formal recognition of a life spent lifting others.
But Penny Noble’s greatest impact may have been the personal ones—quiet, consistent, and life-changing. Friends and clients alike recall her handwritten notes of encouragement, her unshakeable belief in people during their lowest moments, and her fierce loyalty that never asked for anything in return.
In her private life, Penny was as dynamic as the artists she represented. Her home in the Junction Triangle, shared with her husband of 33 years, Michael Chen, was a hub of creativity and warmth. Whether hosting a dinner party or giving her children feedback on a script or song, she brought the same passion and care to her family as she did to her work.
She is survived by Michael; daughter Olivia, 24; son Lucas, 21; and a community of friends, colleagues, and clients whose lives were profoundly shaped by her presence.
Her death—caused by a pulmonary embolism—was sudden, and all the more devastating given her quiet strength during a recent cancer battle known only to a close few.
A private funeral service will be held later this week, with plans underway for a public memorial celebrating her life and legacy in the coming months. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Penny Noble Emerging Artist Fund, which will provide grants to early-career performers from underserved communities.
Penny Noble gave everything to the people behind the curtain. Now, as the curtain falls on her remarkable life, the spotlight turns to a legacy that will long outshine the stage.
Rest in peace, Penny. You saw the magic in others, and in doing so, became something magical yourself.
