Sean Penn: His Career Through The Years

Sean Penn

Born August 17, 1960 in Santa Monica, California, Sean Penn grew up in a household full of talent! Raised by his father, actor and director Leo Penn and his mother, actress Eileen Ryan, Sean showed an interest in film at an early age. He and his childhood friends, Emilio Estevez and Charlie Sheen, enjoyed making short films together, and Penn would even have the chance to star in an episode of hit Western drama Little House on the Prairie at just 14 years old!

'Fast Times at Ridgemont High'

After launching his film career in 1981 with action-drama Taps, Sean Penn would really begin to become a rising star in Hollywood taking on hit comedy Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) and drama Bad Boys (1982). The "dude" really proved he could act, and critics could not get enough of the young star!

'At Close Range'

Handsome and talented, Sean Penn would next take on spy drama film The Falcon and the Snowman (1985), which was based largely off of the real life case of convicted drug dealer Andrew Daulton Lee. While he was at a high point in his career by 1986, having just received critical acclaim after his performance in drama At Close Range, Sean Penn decided to take a step back from acting and focus on his true passion...directing!

'State of Grace'

While he was focusing on his budding directing career, Sean still took on a few important roles including in 1990's neo-noir crime film State of Grace. Taking on the lead of "Terry Noonan", Penn was outstanding in his portrayal of the conflicted undercover cop, showing the fine line between good and bad. The following year, Sean would finally get to make his directorial debut with crime drama The Indian Runner.

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'Carlito's Way'

Really cementing himself into the crime genre, Sean Penn was extraordinary in 1993's Carlito's Way. Based off of the books of the same name, with an outstanding cast including crime legend Al Pacino, this Mafia film is one you don't want to miss!

'Dead Man Walking'

The role that would prove to be instrumental to Sean Penn's career would come in 1995 with crime drama Dead Man Walking, in which Penn takes on the role of a racist murderer on death row. Receiving his first Academy Award nomination and a Best Actor Award at the Berlin Film Festival, Sean Penn would become one of the most known faces in Hollywood!

'Sweet and Lowdown'

Throughout the second half of the '90s, Sean Penn would continue to stay in the limelight, earning his second Academy Award nomination in 1999 after his outstanding performance as an egotistical jazz performer in comedy-drama Sweet and Lowdown. Showing he had an excellent sense of humor, Penn was proving himself to be unstoppable at everything he took on!

'Mystic River'

After receiving his third Academy Award nomination for his performance in 2001's I Am Sam, Sean Penn would finally go on to win the Award in 2003 with crime-drama Mystic River! After years of hard work, Sean Penn would finally start to see the credit he was due!

'Into the Wild'

Following his directorial debut in 1991 with The Indian Runner, Sean Penn would go on to direct a number of successful films including The Crossing Guard (1995), The Pledge (2001), and one of our all-time favorite adventure dramas Into the Wild (2007). Based off of the true story of a young man hiking through the Alaskan wilderness, Into the Wild will leave you captivated from start to finish!

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Movies With Sean Penn rarely disappoint. From classics like Dead Man Walking and Mystic River to his directed films like Into the Wild, Sean Penn is truly a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood. Join us in taking a look back at the best Sean Penn movies!

Movies With Sean Penn Through The Years

The role that would prove to be instrumental to Sean Penn's career would come in 1995 with crime drama Dead Man Walking, in which Penn takes on the role of a racist murderer on death row.

Receiving his first Academy Award nomination and a Best Actor Award at the Berlin Film Festival, Sean Penn would become one of the most known faces in Hollywood!

Now, Sean Penn makes it look easy! Successful as both an actor and director he is showing no signs of stopping anytime soon.

With his most recent hit, The Professor and the Madman (2019) blowing critics and audiences away. We just cannot get enough of Movies With Sean Penn!