Just a Surfer Dude and Road Rat

Sean Penn
The 81st Academy Awards show was presented last night. It was one of the better ones I have viewed over the years. Acceptance speeches were limited in length and we weren’t held captive to view the awards for best assistant to the catering chef. Homage was paid to past winners and performers and previous winners were featured as presenters. The host was not a comedian but an actor who excelled in his command of the affair. And best of all, some deserving actors were the winners.

Chosen as the best performance by a leading actor was Sean Penn. Here is a dedicated, hard working actor who is an enigma to most everyone, friend and fan. His career has been a mixture of controversy and dispute. He grabbed early attention by his assault on the paparazzi who came too close for his comfort. This provided an example of his volatile nature. He has stated that he doesn’t like directors and most actors/actresses. In one instance he served jail time for attacking a film extra. He also said that the only legendary actor who didn’t disappoint him was Clint Eastwood.

But, contrarily, Sean is a humanitarian. I recall seeing him wading waist deep in the flood waters of New Orleans as he was among the earliest in trying to assist those in peril. Some time after the 9/11 tragedy he paid $56,000 to place an add in the Washington Post, asking President George Bush to slow his push for war in Iraq. He has visited Venezuela and African states on humanitarian missions.

Sean is the son of Leo Penn, actor and director, of Lithuanian and Russian descent, and actress Eileen Ryan, who appeared in one film as his grandmother. Leo was blacklisted during the McCarthy era investigations of communism in the movie industry for refusing to answer questions about his political beliefs. He had served as a bombardier in the Air Force during WWII. His own father was of Sephardic Jewish heritage with the surname Piñon. Leo and Eileen had two other sons: actor Chris Penn and musician Michael Penn. As a director Leo had credits in TV series shows such as Magnum P.I, Matlock, Kojak and episodes in many other popular series. He also appeared as an actor in these shows.

Sean was first married to musical star Madonna. He later described the marriage as “loud.” They were divorced in 1989. He was also briefly engaged to the sister of his good friend Bruce Springsteen, Pamela Springsteen. Both were in the movie “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.” Later in his life he had a daughter and a son with actress Robin Wright whom he later married. They moved their family to Marin county to raise their children outside the Hollywood environment.
Sean Penn puts everything into the characters he portrays on film. His choices are usually scripts that have a message of hope. He may appear to be a rebellious outcast but, I am - - -

Just sayin’