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Sean Penn Facts

Sean Penn Facts
Sean Penn is an American actor, activist, and filmmaker that has won two Academy Awards for his roles in film. He was born Sean Justin Penn on August 17th, 1960, in Los Angeles County, California, to Eileen Ryan and Leo Penn. His mother is an actress and his father a director. Sean appeared in an episode of Little House on the Prairie as an extra when his father was directing shows in 1974. Sean Penn began making short films with friends while in high school, with friends and future fellow actors Emilio Estevez and Charlie Sheen. Sean appeared in the film Taps in 1981, which launched his movie career. He played a cadet in military high school. In 1982 he appeared in Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
Interesting Sean Penn Facts:
Sean Penn's grandparents opened a Jewish deli in New York City. His family is of Russian, Lithuanian, Irish, and Italian descent.
Sean Penn's first film role was alongside Tom Cruise and Timothy Hutton in Taps in 1981.
In 1982 Sean Penn played the stoner and surfer Jeff Spicoli in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. He helped coin the popular term 'dude' in that time.
In 1983 Sean Penn played Mick O'Brien in Bad Boys. This role helped launch him as a serious actor in Hollywood.
In the 1986 film At Close Range, Sean appeared with his brother Chris and mother Eileen.
In 1985 Sean Penn married the pop icon Madonna. Andy Warhol was a wedding guest.
In 1986 Sean starred with Madonna in the movie Shanghai Surprise.
Sean Penn spent 32 days in jail in 1987 because he hit an extra on set.
In 1989 Sean Penn and Madonna ended their marriage.
Sean Penn married Robin Wright in 1996, after an on again off again relationship and the birth of their daughter Dylan Frances in 1991 and son Hopper Jack in 1993. They filed for divorce and reconciled a few times before finalizing the end of their marriage in 2010.
Sean Penn won an Academy Award for his role in the 2003 movie Mystic River. He had already been nominated for several roles in other movies such as Dead Man Walking, Sweet and Lowdown, and I am Sam.
In 2004 Sean Penn was invited to join the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.
Sean Penn won his second Academy Award for Best Actor for his roles as Harvey Milk in the 2008 movie Milk.
Sean Penn also directs films and music videos, including videos for musicians such as Shania Twain and Lyle Lovett.
Sean Penn is a political activist and once placed a $56,000 ad in the Washington Post to ask President George W. Bush to end the cycle of violence, in reference to the War on Terror and the planned attack in Iraq.
Sean Penn has been praised for his work to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Sean Penn met with the Mexican drug kingpin El Chapo in 2015 at an undisclosed location. He was interviewing him for a potential movie about his life. El Chapo was arrested the next day but it uncertain whether Sean Penn's meeting helped lead the authorities to the wanted fugitive.


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