Sean Penn

'Sean Penn' (qv) is a powerhouse film performer capable of intensely moving work, who has gone from strength to strength during a colourful film career, and who has drawn much media attention for his stormy private life and political viewpoints.Sean Justin Penn was born in Los Angeles, California, the second son of actress 'Eileen Ryan' (qv) (née Annucci) and director, actor, and writer 'Leo Penn' (qv). His brother was actor 'Chris Penn' (qv). His father was from a Lithuanian Jewish/Russian Jewish family, and his mother is of half Italian and half Irish descent.Penn first appeared in roles as strong-headed or unruly youths such as the military cadet defending his academy against closure in _Taps (1981)_ (qv), then as fast-talking surfer stoner Jeff Spicoli in _Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)_ (qv).Fans and critics were enthused about his obvious talent and he next contributed a stellar performance alongside 'Timothy Hutton' (qv) in the Cold War spy thriller _The Falcon and the Snowman (1985)_ (qv), followed by a teaming with icy 'Christopher Walken' (qv) in the chilling _At Close Range (1986)_ (qv). The youthful Sean then paired up with his then wife, pop diva 'Madonna' (qv) in the woeful, and painful, _Shanghai Surprise (1986)_ (qv), which was savaged by the critics, but Sean bounced back with a great job as a hot-headed young cop in _Colors (1988)_ (qv), gave another searing performance as a US soldier in Vietnam committing atrocities in _Casualties of War (1989)_ (qv) and appeared alongside 'Robert De Niro' (qv) in the uneven comedy _We're No Angels (1989)_ (qv). However, the 1990s was the decade in which Sean really got noticed by critics as a mature, versatile and accomplished actor, with a string of dynamic performances in first-class films.Almost unrecognisable with frizzy hair and thin rimmed glasses, Penn was simply brilliant as corrupt lawyer David Kleinfeld in the 'Brian De Palma' (qv) gangster movie _Carlito's Way (1993)_ (qv) and he was still in trouble with authority as a Death Row inmate pleading with a caring nun to save his life in _Dead Man Walking (1995)_ (qv), for which he received his first Oscar nomination. Sean then played the brother of wealthy 'Michael Douglas' (qv), involving him in a mind-snapping scheme in _The Game (1997)_ (qv) and also landed the lead role of Sgt. Eddie Walsh in the star-studded anti-war film _The Thin Red Line (1998)_ (qv), before finishing the 1990s playing an offbeat jazz musician (and scoring another Oscar nomination) in _Sweet and Lowdown (1999)_ (qv).The gifted and versatile Sean had also moved into directing, with the quirky but interesting _The Indian Runner (1991)_ (qv), about two brothers with vastly opposing views on life, and in 1995 he directed 'Jack Nicholson' (qv) in _The Crossing Guard (1995)_ (qv). Both films received overall positive reviews from critics. Moving into the new century, Sean remained busy in front of the cameras with even more outstanding work: a mentally disabled father fighting for custody of his seven-year-old daughter (and receiving a third Oscar nomination) for _I Am Sam (2001)_ (qv); an anguished father seeking revenge for his daughter's murder in the gut-wrenching 'Clint Eastwood' (qv)-directed _Mystic River (2003)_ (qv) (for which he won the Oscar as Best Actor); a mortally ill college professor in _21 Grams (2003)_ (qv) and a possessed businessman in The Assassination of 'Richard Nixon' (qv) (2004).Certainly 'Sean Penn' (qv) is one of Hollywood's most controversial, progressive and gifted actors.::[email protected]