Sean Penn
Birth Name:
Sean Justin Penn
Birth Place:
Santa Monica, California, United States
Profession
Actor, Producer, Director, Writer, Camera department
Fast Facts
- Received the John Steinbeck Award in 2004 for capturing empathy, democratic values and belief of the dignity of the common man in his artistic work
- Was the first non-Haitian citizen to be designated as Ambassador-at-Large for Haiti because of his disaster-relief efforts in the wake of the 2010 Haiti earthquake
- Grew up in a family already heavily involved in acting and directing, sharing the screen with late brother Chris and mother Eileen Ryan in 1986's "At Close Range․"
- Quote: "I don't consider myself specifically political, you know? I think of working as an actor as being a human thing․ The concerns I have that fall into politics are human concerns․"
- Quote: "I like to believe that love is a reciprocal thing, that it can't really be felt, truly, by one․ That on a romantic level, if you feel it about somebody and it's pure, it means that they do too․ And if you keep believing that, they come around․"
- Quote: "If you can't count on your heart having some kind of unified response, you can't count on anything․ You use your heart as a barometer for your movie's completeness․"
- In addition to his political activism and award-winning acting, he is also famous for previous, high-profile marriages to pop artist Madonna and actress Robin Wright
- His acting style is intensely emotional, and he often plays characters with conflicting natures, such reprehensible men with a hidden sense of morality or characters who have a penchant for violence, but who the audience can still sympathize with
- As a youth, he began making short films with several peers who would become just as famous as Penn, particularly actors/siblings Charlie Sheen and Emilio Estevez
- Prior to his 40th birthday, he was known to smoke upwards of four packs of cigarettes a day
Awards
- 1983New Generation AwardWinner
- 1986NSFC Award - Best Actor:Nominated
- 1987Razzie Award - Worst Actor:Nominated
- 1991SACD Prize - Directors' Fortnight:Nominated
- 1991Golden LeopardNominated
- 1994CFCA Award - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 1994Golden Globe - Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture:Nominated
- 1995ACCA - Best Actor in a Leading Role:Nominated
- 1995Golden LionNominated
- 1996Oscar - Best Actor in a Leading Role:Nominated
- 1996Actor - Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role:Nominated
- 1996Silver Berlin Bear - Best Actor:Winner
- 1996CFCA Award - Best Actor:Nominated
- 1996Chlotrudis Award - Best Actor:Winner
- 1996Independent Spirit Award - Best Male Lead:Winner
- 1996Golden Globe - Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama:Nominated
- 1996NSFC Award - Best Actor:Nominated
- 1996Sant Jordi - Best Foreign Actor (Mejor Actor Extranjero):Nominated
- 1997Best ActorWinner
- 1998Volpi Cup - Best Actor:Winner
- 1999Independent Spirit Award - Best Male Lead:Nominated
- 1999Special Achievement Award - Outstanding Motion Picture Ensemble:Winner
- 2000Oscar - Best Actor in a Leading Role:Nominated
- 2000Golden Globe - Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical:Nominated
- 2000Golden Satellite Award - Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical:Nominated
- 2001Palme d'OrNominated
- 2001Chlotrudis Award - Best Actor:Nominated
- 2002Oscar - Best Actor in a Leading Role:Nominated
- 2002Actor - Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role:Nominated
- 2002Bodil - Best American Film (Bedste amerikanske film):Nominated
- 2002Critics Choice Award - Best Actor:Nominated
- 2002Modern Master AwardWinner
- 2002Golden Satellite Award - Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama:Nominated
- 2002UNESCO AwardWinner
- 2003ACCA - Best Cast Ensemble:Nominated
- 2003ACCA - Best Actor in a Leading Role:Nominated
- 2003ACCA - Best Actor in a Leading Role:Nominated
- 2003ACCA - Best Cast Ensemble:Nominated
- 2003BSFC Award - Best Ensemble Cast:Winner
- 2003BSFC Award - Best Actor:Nominated
- 2003César - Best European Union Film (Meilleur film de l'Union Européenne):Nominated
- 2003Golden Schmoes - Best Actor of the Year:Nominated
- 2003KCFCC Award - Best Actor:Winner
- 2003LAFCA Award - Best Actor:Nominated
- 2003NBR Award - Best Actor:Winner
- 2003NYFCC Award - Best Actor:Nominated
- 2003SEFCA Award - Best Actor:Nominated
- 2003UFCA Award - Best Actor:Nominated
- 2003Volpi Cup - Best Actor:Winner
- 2003WAFCA Award - Best Actor:Nominated
- 2004Oscar - Best Actor in a Leading Role:Winner
- 2004Actor - Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role:Nominated
- 2004Actor - Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture:Nominated
- 2004BAFTA Film Award - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role:Nominated
- 2004BAFTA Film Award - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role:Nominated
- 2004COFCA Award - Best Actor:Winner
- 2004CFCA Award - Best Actor:Nominated
- 2004Critics Choice Award - Best Actor:Winner
- 2004DFWFCA Award - Best Actor:Winner
- 2004Special Distinction AwardWinner
- 2004FFCC Award - Best Actor:Winner
- 2004Gold Derby Film Award - Ensemble Cast:Nominated
- 2004Gold Derby Film Award - Ensemble Cast:Nominated
- 2004Gold Derby Film Award - Lead Actor:Nominated
- 2004Golden Globe - Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama:Winner
- 2004ICS Award - Best Actor:Nominated
- 2004INOCA - Best Actor:Nominated
- 2004Audience Award - Best International Actor:Nominated
- 2004IOMA - Best Actor (Miglior attore protagonista):Winner
- 2004IOMA - Best Actor (Miglior attore protagonista):Nominated
- 2004Sierra Award - Best Actor:Winner
- 2004ALFS Award - Actor of the Year:Winner
- 2004NSFC Award - Best Actor:Nominated
- 2004OFTA Film Award - Best Actor:Winner
- 2004OFCS Award - Best Actor:Nominated
- 2004PFCS Award - Best Ensemble Acting:Winner
- 2004PFCS Award - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role:Nominated
- 2004Audience Award - Best Foreign Actor (Melhor Ator Estrangeiro):Winner
- 2004Golden Satellite Award - Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama:Winner
- 2004VFCC Award - Best Actor:Winner
- 2005Golden Satellite Award - Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama:Nominated
- 2006Stinker Award - Most Annoying Fake Accent: Male:Nominated
- 2007EDA Award - Best Director:Nominated
- 2007EDA Award - Best Picture:Nominated
- 2007Capri Movie of the Year AwardWinner
- 2007CFCA Award - Best Screenplay, Adapted:Nominated
- 2007DFWFCA Award - Best Director:Nominated
- 2007DFCS Award - Best Director:Nominated
- 2007Gotham Independent Film Award - Best Feature:Winner
- 2007Premiere PrizeWinner
- 2007SLFCA Award - Best Screenplay:Nominated
- 2007SLFCA Award - Best Director:Nominated
- 2007Audience Award - Best Foreign Feature Film:Winner
- 2008EDA Award - Best Actor:Winner
- 2008AFCA Award - Best Actor:Winner
- 2008ACCA - Best Actor in a Leading Role:Nominated
- 2008ACCA - Best Cast Ensemble:Nominated
- 2008BSFC Award - Best Actor:Winner
- 2008CFCA Award - Best Actor:Nominated
- 2008Critics Choice Award - Best Writer:Nominated
- 2008Critics Choice Award - Best Director:Nominated
- 2008DFWFCA Award - Best Actor:Winner
- 2008David - Best Foreign Film (Miglior Film Straniero):Nominated
- 2008DFCS Award - Best Actor:Nominated
- 2008DGA Award - Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures:Nominated
- 2008Audience Award - Best Foreign Film (Miglior Film Straniero):Winner
- 2008FCCA Award - Best Foreign Film - English Language:Nominated
- 2008Gold Derby Film Award - Director:Nominated
- 2008Gold Derby Film Award - Motion Picture:Nominated
- 2008Golden Schmoes - Best Actor of the Year:Nominated
- 2008HFCS Award - Best Director:Nominated
- 2008HFCS Award - Best Actor:Winner
- 2008ICP Award - Best Lead Performance:Nominated
- 2008Silver Ribbon - Best Non-European Director (Regista del Miglior Film Non-Europeo):Nominated
- 2008IOMA - Best Adapted Screenplay (Miglior sceneggiatura non originale):Nominated
- 2008IOMA - Best Director (Miglior regia):Nominated
- 2008IOMA - Best Picture (Miglior film):Winner
- 2008LAFCA Award - Best Actor:Winner
- 2008NYFCC Award - Best Actor:Winner
- 2008NYFCO Award - Best Actor:Winner
- 2008Director of the Year AwardWinner
- 2008PFCS Award - Best Performance by an Actor in a Lead Role:Winner
- 2008SFFCC Award - Best Actor:Winner
- 2008Satellite Award - Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama:Nominated
- 2008SEFCA Award - Best Actor:Winner
- 2008SLFCA Award - Best Actor:Winner
- 2008TFCA Award - Best Performance, Male:Nominated
- 2008USC Scripter AwardNominated
- 2008UFCA Award - Best Actor:Nominated
- 2008VVFP Award - Best Actor:Winner
- 2008WGA Award (Screen) - Best Adapted Screenplay:Nominated
- 2009Oscar - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role:Winner
- 2009Actor - Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture:Nominated
- 2009Actor - Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role:Winner
- 2009BAFTA Film Award - Best Leading Actor:Nominated
- 2009COFCA Award - Best Actor:Nominated
- 2009Chlotrudis Award - Best Actor:Nominated
- 2009Critics Choice Award - Best Actor:Winner
- 2009Critics Choice Award - Best Acting Ensemble:Winner
- 2009César - Best Foreign Film (Meilleur film étranger):Nominated
- 2009DFCC - Best Actor:Winner
- 2009Independent Spirit Award - Best Male Lead:Nominated
- 2009Gold Derby Film Award - Ensemble Cast:Nominated
- 2009Gold Derby Film Award - Lead Actor:Winner
- 2009Golden Globe - Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama:Nominated
- 2009ICS Award - Best Actor:Nominated
- 2009INOCA - Best Actor:Winner
- 2009IOMA - Best Actor (Miglior attore protagonista):Nominated
- 2009Jupiter Award - Best International Director:Winner
- 2009Kinema Junpo Award - Best Foreign Language Film:Nominated
- 2009Kinema Junpo Award - Best Foreign Film Director:Winner
- 2009ALFS Award - Actor of the Year:Nominated
- 2009MTV Movie Award - Best Kiss:Nominated
- 2009NSFC Award - Best Actor:Winner
- 2009OFTA Film Award - Best Actor:Winner
- 2009OFCS Award - Best Actor:Nominated
- 2009Top Film - Top 10 Key Films of the Noughties:Winner
- 2009VFCC Award - Best Actor:Winner
- 2010Felix - Best Actor:Nominated
- 2010Gold Derby Film Award - Lead Actor of the Decade:Nominated
- 2010IOFCP Award - Best Actor of the Decade:Nominated
- 2010IOFCP Award - Best Actor in a Leading Role:Nominated
- 2010Satellite Award - Best Actor in a Supporting Role:Nominated
- 2011Movies for Grownups Award - Best Grownup Love Story:Nominated
- 2012COFCA Award - Best Ensemble:Nominated
- 2013Yoga Award - Worst Hairstyle:Winner
- 2014Felix - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 2016Felix - Best Actor:Nominated
- 2016Palme d'OrNominated
- 2018Yoga Award - Worst Foreign Director:Winner
- 2021Palme d'OrNominated
- 2022HCA Award - Best Actor in a Broadcast Network or Cable Limited Series, Anthology Series, or TV Movie:Nominated
- 2023Berlinale Documentary AwardNominated
- 2023Satellite Award - Best Actor in a Miniseries, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television:Nominated
- 2024Emmy - Outstanding Politics and Government Documentary:Nominated
- 2025AFCC Award - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 2025AFCA Award - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 2025CFCA Award - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 2025DFWFCA Award - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 2025FFCC Award - Best Supporting Actor:Winner
- 2025GAFCA Award - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 2025GWNYFCA Award - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 2025IFJA Award - Best Supporting Performance:Nominated
- 2025ICP Award - Best Performance:Nominated
- 2025KCFCC Award - Best Supporting Actor:Winner
- 2025Sierra Award - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 2025MMCG Award - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 2025NJFCC Award - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 2025NYFCO Award - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 2025NTFCA Award - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 2025OAFFC Award - Best Supporting Male:Nominated
- 2025PCC Award - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 2025PFCS Award - Best Actor in a Supporting Role:Winner
- 2025PCA Award - Best Supporting Performance:Nominated
- 2025SDFCS Award - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 2025SFBAFCC Award - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 2025SFCS Award - Villain of the Year:Nominated
- 2025SFCS Award - Best Supporting Actor:Winner
- 2025SEFCA Award - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 2025SLFCA Award - Best Supporting Actor:Winner
- 2025TFCA Award - Outstanding Supporting Performance:Nominated
- 2025FCA Award - Supporting Actor of the Year:Winner
- 2025VHS Award - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 2025VHS Award - Best Ensemble Cast:Nominated
- 2025WAFCA Award - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 2025WFCC Award - Best Screen Couple:Nominated
- 2026AACTA International Award - Best Supporting Actor in Film:Nominated
- 2026Movies for Grownups Award - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 2026Movies for Grownups Award - Best Ensemble:Winner
- 2026Oscar - Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role:Winner
- 2026Actor - Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role:Winner
- 2026Actor - Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture:Nominated
- 2026EDA Award - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 2026Astra Award - Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture Comedy or Musical:Nominated
- 2026BAFTA Film Award - Best Supporting Actor:Winner
- 2026Windie - Best Supporting Actor:Winner
- 2026CinEuphoria - Best Supporting Actor - International Competition:Nominated
- 2026COFCA Award - Best Supporting Performance:Nominated
- 2026CACF Award - Best Supporting Actor:Winner
- 2026Critics Choice Award - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 2026DFCS Award - Best Supporting Performance by an Actor, Male:Nominated
- 2026DFCA Award - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 2026Dorian Award - Supporting Film Performance of the Year:Nominated
- 2026Gold Derby Film Award - Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 2026Golden Globe - Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture:Nominated
- 2026Golden Schmoes - Best Supporting Actor of the Year:Winner
- 2026HFCS Award - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 2026HFCS Award - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 2026ICFCA Award - Best Supporting Actor:Winner
- 2026ICS Award - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 2026IFTA Award - Best International Actor:Nominated
- 2026LEJA Award - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 2026ALFS Award - Supporting Actor of the Year:Winner
- 2026MNFCA Award - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 2026MCFCA Award - Best Supporting Actor:Winner
- 2026NCFCA Award - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 2026NDFS Award - Best Supporting Actor:Winner
- 2026NDFS Award - Best Ensemble:Nominated
- 2026OFCC Award - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 2026OFTA Film Award - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 2026OFTA Film Award - Best Ensemble:Nominated
- 2026OFCS Award - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 2026Satellite Award - Best Actor in a Supporting Role:Nominated
- 2026UFCA Award - Best Supporting Performance, Male:Nominated
- 2026VFCC Award - Best Supporting Male Actor:Winner