Sean Penn: Movies, Awards & Box Office

Sean Justin Penn (born August 17, 1960) is an acclaimed American actor and film director. Known for his intense leading roles in films, he has garnered numerous accolades in his career, including two Academy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and nominations for three BAFTA Film Awards. Penn received an Honorary César in 2015. He made his feature film debut in Taps (1981), and has taken roles in a wide variety of notable films including Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982), Dead Man Walking (1995), and Mystical River (2003). Making his directorial film debut with The Indian Runner in 1991, he has since directed critically acclaimed films like The Crossing Guard (1995), The Pledge (2001) and Into the Wild (2007). Beyond his film work, Penn has engaged in political and social activism, such as his criticism of the George W. Bush administration, his attention to the Russo-Ukrainian War, and his humanitarian work during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Penn was born in Santa Monica, California, to actor and director Leo Penn and actress Eileen Ryan. His early life revolved around filmmaking with his childhood friends including actors Emilio Estevez and Charlie Sheen. He first appeared in the 1974 television series Little House on the Prairie and made a Broadway debut in 1981. He defined his career as a serious actor with his role in Bad Boys (1983), and has since been celebrated for his ability to develop in-depth, compelling characters on screen. He is one of Hollywood's most well-rounded talents, with his work spanning four decades, various genres, and numerous standout performances.