A veteran of television, Collins Pennie began his career with a stint on As the World Turns and also guest-starred on shows like CSI: Miami and Without a Trace. He launched his big-screen career in the late 2000s with small supporting roles, including parts in Ryan Fleck's drug-laced inner-city drama Half Nelson (2006) and Nelson McCormick's slasher outing remake Prom Night (2008). In 2009, he was cast as Malik in the remake of the musical Fame.