- Wrote a furious letter to South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone for ridiculing his stance against the war in Iraq in their latest film, EAM AMERICA: WORLD POLICE. (2004)
- Nominated twice in the best-actor category for 21 GRAMS and MYSTIC RIVER at British Academy Film Awards. (2004)
- The United Nations said on Thursday that THE INTERPRETER, a movie starring Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn, would be made at the U.N. headquarters in New York, where Hollywood has failed for decades to get permission to film. (January 30, 2004)
- Will attend the Academy Awards for the first time ever this year to support his film MYSTIC RIVER. (January 29, 2004)
- Hollywood star Sean Penn pens Iraq articles for Chronicle -- Despite his strained relations with journalists, he's hired by the San Francisco Chronicle to write a series of exclusive articles on his most recent visit to Iraq. (January 15, 2004)
- Refused to attend the Oscars despite three Best Actor nominations for I AM SAM, SWEET AND LOWDOWN and DEAD MAN WALKING.
- Sean Penn, Holly Hunter, and Willem Dafoe have joined the opposition to a recent ban on sending special DVDs and videos to Academy Award voters. (October 15, 2003)
- Co-stars in New York Film Festival's opening night film, MYSTIC RIVER, and the closing night film, 21 GRAMS - selection committee chairman Richard Pena said having the same actor star in the opening and closing night films is a first for the festival. (October 3, 2003)
- His actor brother, Chris Penn, was booted out of the hip Hollywood spot, The Skybar, for fighting with a midget -- Reports said that after drinking with pals at the poolside, 5 foot 10 inch tall Chris, was fighting through the crowd of patrons when he collided with a man who measured just 3 foot 5 inches. Onlookers say a furious Chris was swiftly ejected from the hotspot. (July 22, 2003)
- Penn, on Monday, won the latest round in a court fight pitting him against movie producer Steve Bing, when a Los Angeles judge tossed out part of Bing's $15 million lawsuit against him -- Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Irving Feffer, ruled that Bing cannot sue Penn for attempted civil extortion, because the claim does not exist in California law. (June 24, 2003)
- Penn published a 4,000-word open letter in the front section of the New York Times on Friday, defending his December trip to Baghdad, and criticizing the U.S.-led war on Iraq -- Penn wrote that he was too moved by a sense of patriotism to question the underlying purpose of U.S. policy to force out Saddam Hussein, who he described as a beast among men. (June 2, 2003)
- Penn's car, stolen as he had lunch near the University of California campus at Berkeley, has been found on Friday in Richmond, nine miles from where it was stolen. Two guns which had been left inside were missing, police said on Sunday. (April 14, 2003)
- Penn has confessed he was used as a propaganda tool by Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein - the actor made a three-day fact-finding trip to the country last month, after stating his opposition to a possible war in the Gulf. Penn now concedes he played into the hands of Hussein by violating a US law forbidding Americans to visit the war-torn country. (January 15, 2003)
- ANALYZE THAT star Joe Viterelli had no intention of being an actor until Penn hired him in 1990 for the film STATE OF GRACE -- Viterelli said he did the role because he was friends with Penn's father, Leo.
- Penn is refusing to apologize for his fact-finding mission to Iraq, despite rousing anger amongst some of his US contemporaries - Penn is violating a US law forbidding Americans to visit the war-torn country, but says his three-day journey there was something he felt obligated to do. (December 19, 2002)
- Penn visited a Baghdad children's hospital Friday, saying he came to Iraq for a better understanding of the crisis with the United States -- his three-day visit to Iraq was organized by the Institute for Public Accuracy, which has offices in Washington and San Francisco. (December 14, 2002)
- Directed Peter Gabriel's latest video for THE BARRY WILLIAMS SHOW, which aired online early Friday morning, September 6th 2002.
- Penn shares the same birthday (August 17) with Robert De Niro.
- In the busy street corner crossing scene in NOT ANOTHER TEEN MOVIE (2001), the shop on the corner is Specoli's TV. (Jeff) Specoli was HIS character in FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH.
- Offered the role Joe O'Malley in STOLEN SUMMER (2002), but turned it down and did I AM SAM (2001) in which he was nominated for an Oscar.
- Had originally turned down his role in U TURN (1997) due to schedule conflicts, and Paxton replaced him. About a week before filming, Paxton backed out; fortunately, Penn had become available.
- Originally, BLIND DATE (1987) was scheduled for Madonna and Sean Penn. When Madonna heard that they had cast Bruce Willis in the male lead role, she pulled out.
- Three actors from CASUALTIES OF WAR (1989) are in this film: Sean Penn, John C Reilly, and Don Harvey. Although they are all higher in rank in THE THIN RED LINE (1998), Reilly and Harvey are once again under Sean Penn's command.
- Was considered for the role of the veteran in BORN ON THE 4TH JULY (1989)
- Was Oscar nominated for Best Actor in 2002 for I AM SAM and was also nominated for DEAD MAN WALKING in 1995.
- Sean married Madonna on August 16th, 1985 in Malibu. The ceremony was a disaster because dozens of paparazzi helicopters flew over their heads.
- Was Oscar nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 2000, for SWEET AND LOWDOWN.
- Penn thought he faced certain death when a crazed gunman took him hostage at gunpoint, using Penn as a human shield when the gunman dragged him out of a police station in 1998.
- Has continued lashing out at Hollywood, taking potshots at popcorn movies in general, and director Michael Bay, in particular.
- Has labelled Hollywood's most exciting night of the year - The Oscars - as embarrassing.
- Has finally quit his four-pack-a-day smoking habit after watching his father Leo Penn, die of lung cancer.
- Penn and Jack Nicholson like to get together in local bars rather than posh restaurants.
- Nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture at Screen Actors Guild Awards for MYSTIC RIVER (2004)
- Nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role at Screen Actors Guild Awards for MYSTIC RIVER (2004)
- Nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role at Screen Actors Guild Awards for I AM SAM (2002)
- Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical at Golden Globe Awards for SWEET AND LOWDOWN (2000)
- Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama at Golden Globe Awards for DEAD MAN WALKING (1996)
- Nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role at Screen Actors Guild Awards for DEAD MAN WALKING (1996)
- Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture at Golden Globe Awards for CARLITO'S WAY (1994)
Quotes- "I think that people like the Howard Sterns, the Bill O'Reillys, and to a lesser degree the [Osama] bin Ladens of the world, are making a horrible contribution."
- "Family makes me feel there's a reason I'm alive... I'm feeling my life, which I didn't always do partly because I'd be drunk a lot."
- "I'm in the showbizz because I need Money!"
- "I hate journalists, or better, I hate paparazzi. Yeah, I punched them out and I'll do it again if it's necessary. I think a fist in their face is the only way to protect my private life. I demand my freedom, and I must have it."
- "If too many people like you, you're doing something wrong."
- Accepting his Independent Spirit Award: "You tolerate me, you really tolerate me."
- "I don't think you can get away with putting your talents in a toilet bowl and not having them flushed away forever. There is a level of murder of one's soul and of the culture that they're supposed to be feeding vitamins to."
- "Simply put, if there is a war or continued sanctions against Iraq, the blood of Americans and Iraqis alike will be on our hands."
Awards- Academy Awards: Best Actor, MYSTIC RIVER (2004)
- Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards: Best Actor, MYSTIC RIVER (2004)
- Dallas-Forth Worth Film Critics Association Awards: Best Actor, MYSTIC RIVER (2004)
- Florida Film Critics Circle Awards: Best Actor, MYSTIC RIVER (2004)
- Golden Globe Awards: Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama, MYSTIC RIVER (2004)
- Golden Satellite Awards: Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama, MYSTIC RIVER (2004)
- Independent Spirit Awards: Special Distinction Award, 21 GRAMS (2004)
- Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards: Best Actor, MYSTIC RIVER (2004)
- Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards: Sierra Award - Best Actor, MYSTIC RIVER (2004)
- London Film Critics Circle Awards: Best Actor of the Year, MYSTIC RIVER (2004)
- Vancouver Film Critics Circle: Best Actor, MYSTIC RIVER (2004)
- National Board of Review awards: best actor, for MYSTIC RIVER and 21 GRAMS (2003).
- Boston Society of Film Critics Awards: Best Ensemble Cast, MYSTIC RIVER (2003)
- San Sebastián International Film Festival: Donostia Lifetime Achievement Award (2003)
- Venice Film Festival: Volpi Cup - Best Actor, 21 GRAMS (2003)
- Venice Film Festival: UNESCO Award, SEPTEMBER 11 (2002)
- Denver International Film Festival: John Cassavetes Award (2000)
- San Francisco International Film Festival: Peter J. Owens Award (1999)
- Venice Film Festival: Volpi Cup - Best Actor, HURLYBURLY (1998)
- Cannes Film Festival: Best Actor, SHE'S SO LOVELY (1997)
- Berlin International Film Festival: Silver Berlin Bear - Best Actor, DEAD MAN WALKING (1996)
- Independent Spirit Awards: Best Male Lead, DEAD MAN WALKING (1996)
- Venice Film Festival: Golden Lion, THE CROSSING GUARD (1995)
- Golden Apple Awards: Sour Apple (1986)
- Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards: New Generation Award (1983)
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