Sean Justin Penn (born August 17, 1960) is an American actor and film director. He is known for his intense leading man roles in film. Over his career he has earned numerous accolades including two Academy Awards, a Cannes Film Festival Award, a Golden Globe Award, two Volpi Cup Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award as well as nominations for three BAFTA Awards. Penn received the Honorary Cesar in 2015.
Penn made his feature film debut in the drama Taps (1981), before taking roles in Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982), Bad Boys (1983), and At Close Range (1986). He later won two Academy Awards for Best Actor for his roles as a grieving father in Mystic River (2003) and Harvey Milk in Milk (2008). He was also Oscar-nominated for Dead Man Walking (1995), Sweet and Lowdown (1999) and I Am Sam (2001). Penn's other notable roles include in Casualties of War (1989), State of Grace (1990), Carlito's Way (1993), She's So Lovely (1997), The Game (1997), The Thin Red Line (1998), Hurlyburly (1998), 21 Grams (2003), Fair Game (2010), The Tree of Life (2011), Licorice Pizza (2021), and Daddio (2023).
Penn made his directorial film debut with the crime drama The Indian Runner (1991) followed by the films The Crossing Guard (1995), The Pledge (2001), and Into the Wild (2007). On stage, he acted in the Broadway plays Heartland (1981) and Slab Boys (1983). On television, he portrayed an astronaut in the Hulu drama series The First (2018) and John N. Mitchell in the Starz political thriller miniseries Gaslight (2022).
In addition to his film work, Penn has also engaged in political and social activism. This includes his criticism of the George W. Bush administration, his contact with the Presidents of Cuba and Venezuela, and his humanitarian work in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the 2010 Haiti earthquake, and his support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy amidst the Russian-Ukrainian War.
Early life
Penn was born in Santa Monica, California, to actor and director Leo Penn and actress Eileen Ryan (née Annucci). His older brother is musician Michael Penn. His younger brother, actor Chris Penn, died in 2006. His father was Jewish whose parents were emigrants from Merkinė in Lithuania, and his mother was a Catholic of Irish and Italian descent.
Penn was raised in a secular home in Malibu, California,[10] and attended Malibu Park Junior High School and Santa Monica High School. He began making short films with some of his childhood friends including actors Emilio Estevez and Charlie Sheen, who lived near his home.
Penn appeared in a 1974 episode of the Little House on the Prairie television series as an extra when his father, Leo, directed some of the episodes.[17] Penn launched his film career with the action-drama Taps (1981), where he played a military high school cadet. That same year he made his Broadway debut in the Kevin Heelan play Heartland at the Century Theatre. A year later, he appeared in the hit comedy Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982), in the role of surfer-stoner Jeff Spicoli; his character helped popularize the word "dude" in popular culture.[16] Next, Penn appeared as Mick O'Brien, a troubled youth, in the drama Bad Boys (1983). The role earned Penn favorable reviews and jump-started his career as a serious actor. He returned to Broadway that same year acting in the John Byrne play Slab Boys acting alongside Kevin Bacon, Val Kilmer, Jackie Earl Haley, and Madeleine Potter at the Playhouse Theatre.
In October 1985, Penn pled no contest to charges that he assaulted two journalists when they tried to photograph him and Madonna in Nashville in June 1985. He was fined $50 on each of two misdemeanor charges of assault and battery. In January 1986, Penn was charged for assaulting allegedly Leonel Borralho, Macau correspondent for the Hong Kong Standard newspaper, after he photographed Madonna and Penn as they arrived at their hotel room. In June 1986, Penn was charged with misdemeanor battery for assaulting songwriter David Wolinski at Helena's nightclub in Los Angeles. Wolinski said Penn accused him of trying to kiss Madonna. Penn pled not guilty to the charge.
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Penn has been outspoken in supporting numerous political and social causes. On December 13–16, 2002, he visited Iraq to protest against the Bush administration's apparent plans for a military strike on Iraq. On June 10, 2005, Penn visited Iran, where, acting as a journalist on an assignment for the San Francisco Chronicle, he attended a Friday prayer at Tehran University.
On January 7, 2006, Penn was a special guest at the Progressive Democrats of America, where he was joined by author and media critic Norman Solomon and activist Cindy Sheehan at their "Out of Iraq Forum" in Sacramento, California, organized to support and promote the anti-Iraq War movement. On December 18, 2006, Penn received the Christopher Reeve First Amendment Award from the Creative Coalition for his commitment to free speech.
In August 2008, Penn attended one of Ralph Nader's "Open the Debates" super rallies, protesting against Nader and other third party candidates's exclusion. In October 2008, Penn visited Cuba, where he met with and interviewed then Cuban president Raúl Castro.
If you want to read a lot more, go here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_Penn
- SERVES
- 6
- COOK TIME
- 35 Min
You're going to devour this Southern-style side dish! Our Down-Home Cabbage is a cabbage lover's dream, since it features lots of cabbage cooked with butter, bacon, onions, potatoes, and spices. Every bite will leave you saying, "Mmm!"
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 strips bacon, coarsely chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small cabbage, cut into 1-inch strips
- 3 white potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 cups chicken broth
- In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter; saute bacon, onion, and garlic until bacon is crispy.
- In a soup pot, place cabbage, potatoes, bacon mixture, salt, pepper, vinegar, and broth. Cover and cook on medium heat 15 minutes. Uncover and continue cooking 10 to 15 more minutes, or until cabbage and potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally.
HOW TO OBSERVE
NATIONAL POSTAL WORKER DAY HISTORY
On July 1st, National US Postage Stamp Day recognizes the ease and simplicity with which we can send and receive mail. A stamp represents payment for the delivery of a letter or a package.
The United States issued its first postage stamp on July 1, 1847. At that time, stamps were not required. A letter could be mailed without a stamp and delivery paid for by the recipient. In 1855, the postage stamp became mandatory.
Philately is the study of stamps and postal history. Stamps often have a fascinating history. Everything from the inspiration and the artist to the postal rate in a given year affects the value of a stamp. Collectors look at quality and rarity as well.
While the digital age may have slowed the flow of snail mail, it doesn’t reduce the excitement associated with receiving a letter or a card in the mail. A handwritten note in an envelope with a postage stamp in the corner holds so much more charm than most of the emails people receive. A colorful postcard from an exotic location or missive with crayon-drawn artwork improves one’s day when it comes delivered by a familiar postal worker.
Birthday wishes that come via text message or social media are one thing, but an unexpected delivery through the mail in a bright envelope brings more smiles than all the likes in the world.
HOW TO OBSERVE
Put a stamp on it! Celebrate the day by mailing a letter or postcard to someone you know. Visit the Classroom Pages for a variety of postcards you can download and print. You can also start a stamp collection. If you’re creative, design your own stamp. Post your designs and collections on social media using #USPostageStampDay.
If you mail or ship packages frequently these Digital Scales can help you with more accurate shipping costs.
NATIONAL US POSTAGE STAMP DAY HISTORY
Within our research, we were unable to identify the creator of National U.S. Postage Stamp Day.
US Postage Stamp FAQ
Q. What were the first images on the first postage stamps?
A. Two postage stamps went on sale on July 1, 1847. These first official U.S. postage stamps depicted Benjamin Franklin and George Washington.
Q. What is the cost of a single, first-class postage stamp in the United States?
A. A single, first-class stamp in the United States as of August of 2021 is 58. This stamp will mail a single piece of mail weighing one ounce or less.
Q. Do postage stamps expire?
A. No. But if the stamp’s value is less than the cost to mail the package or letter, you will need to include additional postage.
