Occupation: Actor, Director, Screenwriter
Date of Birth: August 17, 1960
Place of Birth:Burbank, Calif, USA
Sign: Sun in Leo, Moon in Cancer
Relations: Father: Leo (deceased; actor, director); mother: Eileen Ryan (actress); brothers: Michael (actor, musician), Christopher (actor); wife: Robin Wright (actress); kids: Dylan, Hopper (both by Wright); ex-wife: Madonna
Education: High school
BORN TO A Los Angeles theatrical family; his father, Leo Penn, is a film and television director, and his mother, Eileen Ryan, is an actress. Sean Penn directed and acted in his own Super 8mm films in high school and became involved with LA's Group Repertory Theatre. Sharpening his stage craft with acting coach Peggy Feury, Sean won roles in TV movies and series, but decided to scrape together a one-way ticket for a shot at the New York stage.
He made his Broadway debut in Kevin Heelan's Heartland, which led directly to his first screen role, starring opposite Tom Cruise and Timothy Hutton in Taps.
Sean made his screenwriting and directing debut with The Indian Runner and went on to write, direct and produce The Crossing Guard starring Jack Nicholson, David Morse, Anjelica Huston and Robin Wright.
Sean's portrayal of Jeff Spicoli, the cheery pothead surfer of Amy Heckerling's Fast Times at Ridgemont High first established him as an actor of some consequence. He earned Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations in the Best Actor category for his role in Dead Man Walking.
Movies:
1995 The Crossing Guard
1995 Dead Man Walking
1993 Carlito's Way
1993 The Last Party
1991 The Indian Runner
1990 State of Grace
1989 We're No Angels
1989 Casualties of War
1989 Cool Blue
1988 Colors
1988 Judgment in Berlin
1987 Shanghai Surprise
1986 At Close Range
1985 The Falcon and the Snowman
1984 Racing With the Moon
1984 Crackers
1983 Bad Boys
1982 Fast Times at Ridgemont High
1981 Taps
TV:
1985 The Killing of Randy Webster
1979 Concrete Cowboys
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
