Penn launched his career with the 1982 comedy film Fast Times at Ridgemont High in the role of Jeff Spicoli and has since starred in over 40 movies. He won an Oscar for Mystic River. Penn has also been nominated for three other Academy Awards in recognition of his roles in the films I Am Sam, Sweet and Lowdown and Dead Man Walking.

In 1991, Penn made his directorial debut with The Indian Runner. He has since directed two more films: The Crossing Guard in 1995 and The Pledge in 2001. Both of these films starred Jack Nicholson.

Penn was offered the role of The Joker in the sequel to 2005's summer blockbuster Batman Begins, but turned down the part.
Penn's personal life began to attract a lot of media attention when he married pop star Madonna in 1985. After a divorce in 1989, Penn started a relationship with Robin Wright, with whom he had two children, son Hopper and daughter Dylan before they married in 1996. They live in Ross, California.

Public Name: Sean Penn
Birth Name: Sean Justin Penn
Date of Birth: August 17, 1960
Place of Birth: Santa Monica, California

Filmography

• Persepolis (2007)
• In Search of Captain Zero (2008)
• All the King's Men (2006)
• The Interpreter (2005)
• The Assassination of Richard Nixon (2004)
• 21 Grams (2003)
• Mystic River (2003)
• It's All About Love (2003)
• I Am Sam (2001)
• "Friends" (2 episodes, 2001)
• The Weight of Water (2000)
• Before Night Falls (2000)
• Up at the Villa (2000)
• Sweet and Lowdown (1999)
• The Thin Red Line (1998)
• Hurlyburly (1998)
• Hugo Pool (1997)
• The Game (1997)
• U Turn (1997)
• She's So Lovely (1997)
• Loved (1997)
• Dead Man Walking (1995)
• Carlito's Way (1993)
• Cruise Control (1992)
• State of Grace (1990)
• We're No Angels (1989)
• Casualties of War (1989)
• Judgment in Berlin (1988)
• Colors (1988)
• Cool Blue (1988)
• "Saturday Night Live" (1 episode, 1987)
• Shanghai Surprise (1986)
• At Close Range (1986)
• The Falcon and the Snowman (1985)
• Racing with the Moon (1984)
• Crackers (1984)
• Bad Boys (1983)
• Summerspell (1983)
• Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
• Taps (1981)
• The Killing of Randy Webster (1981)
• Hellinger's Law (1981)
• "Barnaby Jones"  (1 episode, 1979)
• "Little House on the Prairie" (1 episode, 1974)

Awards

• Golden Globe Award Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture (Drama) "Mystic River" 2004
• Oscar Best Actor "Mystic River" 2004
• National Board of Review Awards Best Actor "Mystic River" and "21 Grams" 2003
• The Critics' Choice Awards Best Actor "Mystic River" 2003
• Venice Film Festival Best Actor Award "Hurlyburly" 1998
• Cannes Film Festival Best Actor Award "She's So Lovely" 1997
• Berlin Film Festival Silver Bear for Best Actor "Dead Man Walking" 1995
• Independent Spirit Award Best Actor "Dead Man Walking" 1995
• Los Angeles Film Critics Association New Generation Award 1983