Sean Penn
- Born: 17 Aug, 1960
Described by The New York Times as "both a human tempest and an actor of sizable gifts", Sean Penn is at least as well-known for his brief but highly publicized marriage to pop phenomenon Madonna and his battles with the entertainment press as for his impressive but relatively modest body of work as an actor. The son of blacklisted actor-turned director Leo Penn and his actress wife Eileen Ryan, this intense volatile actor refuses to prostitute his talent, preferring to work on the fringes of the industry for far less money than he could command on projects that his name often helps realize. Having received his initial training on the stage, Penn made his film debut providing strong support as Timothy Hutton's more level-headed roommate in "Taps" (1981), a sleeper drama...
FAMILY & COMPANIONS
- father Leo Penn: blacklisted during the 1950s; met wife when he took over for Jason Robards as Hickey in NYC production of "The Iceman Cometh" in the late 1950s; died on September 5, 1998 at the age of 77
- mother Eileen Ryan: gave up a flourishing stage career to raise her sons; resumes acting career in the late 1980s, appearing in films like "Parenthood" (1989), Penn's "The Indian Runner" (1991), and "Magnolia"
- brother Michael Penn: born on August 1, 1958; wrote score for "Boogie Nights"; married to singer-songwriter Aimee Mann
- brother Christopher Penn: born on October 10, 1965; acted together in "At Close Range"
- daughter Dylan Francis Penn: born on April 13, 1991 in Los Angeles; mother, Robin Wright
- son Hopper Jack Penn: born on August 6, 1993; mother, Robin Wright; named after Dennis Hopper and Jack Nicholson
- Pam Springsteen: sister of Bruce Springsteen
- Elizabeth McGovern: met on set of "Racing With the Moon"; engaged c. 1983-84; separated in 1984
- Susan Sarandon: together briefly in 1984; later co-starred together in "Dead Man Walking" (1995)
- wife Madonna: born on August 16, 1958; married on August 16, 1985; divorced in 1989; acted together in "Shanghai Surprise" (1986); Penn does not refer to her by name in interviews but calls her "the first wife"
- wife Robin Wright: born on April 8, 1966; met in 1987 but did not become romantically involved until after acting together in "State of Grace" (1990); had stormy relationship, separating in 1995 and reuniting in early 1996; married on April 27, 1996; mother of Penn's two children; formerly married to actor Dane Witherspoon
- Jewel: no longer together; born c. 1974
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