Major Controversies Surrounding Sean Penn: A Detailed Timeline

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Sean Penn.

Sean Penn is a highly acclaimed American actor and film director, celebrated for his intense performances and leading roles. He has garnered significant recognition, including two Academy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. He has also received nominations for prestigious awards like British Academy Film Awards, an Emmy Award, and a Grammy Award. In 2015, he was honored with an Honorary César Award.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals

June 1985: Penn Assaults Journalists

In June 1985, Sean Penn assaulted two journalists when they tried to photograph him and Madonna in Nashville, leading to charges later in October.

October 1985: Penn Pleds no contest to assaulting journalists

In October 1985, Sean 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.

January 1986: Penn Charged with Assaulting Journalist

In January 1986, Sean Penn was charged for allegedly assaulting Leonel Borralho, Macau correspondent for the Hong Kong Standard newspaper, after he photographed Madonna and Penn as they arrived at their hotel room.

June 1986: Penn Charged with Misdemeanor Battery

In June 1986, Sean Penn was charged with misdemeanor battery for allegedly assaulting songwriter David Wolinski at Helena's nightclub in Los Angeles. Wolinski stated that Penn accused him of trying to kiss Madonna. Penn pled not guilty to the charge.

April 1987: Penn Arrested for Probation Violation and Assault

In April 1987, Sean Penn violated probation and was arrested for punching a film extra, Jeffrey Klein, on set of the movie Colors.

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June 1987: Penn Sentenced to Jail

In June 1987, Sean Penn was sentenced to 60 days in jail for assault and reckless driving, stemming from the April incident where he punched a film extra. He served 33 days.

January 1989: Madonna Files for Divorce Again

In January 1989, Madonna filed for divorce from Sean Penn again and reportedly withdrew an assault complaint against Penn following an incident at their Malibu, California home during the New Year weekend.

October 18, 2002: Penn Publishes Open Letter to Bush

On October 18, 2002, Sean Penn placed a $56,000 advertisement in The Washington Post, publicly asking then President George W. Bush to end military hostilities in Iraq and elsewhere. The advertisement was written as an open letter.

September 2005: Penn Aids Hurricane Katrina Victims

In September 2005, Sean Penn traveled to New Orleans to aid Hurricane Katrina victims, physically involved in rescuing people. There was criticism of a PR stunt as he hired a photographer to come along. He denied such accusations in an article he wrote for HuffPost.

December 7, 2007: Penn Supports Kucinich, Criticizes Bush

On December 7, 2007, Sean Penn said he supported Ohio Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich in the 2008 US presidential election, and again criticized Bush's handling of the Iraq War.

October 2009: Sean Penn Involved in Altercation with Photographer

In October 2009, Sean Penn was involved in an altercation with photographer Frank Mateljan, leading to a misdemeanor charge. He pleaded no contest to the charge in May 2010.

March 2010: Call for Imprisonment of Journalists

In March 2010, Sean Penn called for the imprisonment of journalists who referred to Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez as a dictator.

May 2010: Penn Pleads No Contest in Photographer Altercation

In May 2010, Sean Penn pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge stemming from an altercation with photographer Frank Mateljan in October 2009. He was sentenced to perform 300 hours of community service and undergo 36 hours of anger management counseling.

December 2011: Verbal fight with María Conchita Alonso

In December 2011, Sean Penn and actress María Conchita Alonso had a verbal fight at an airport, during which Penn called her "a pig" and Alonso called Penn a communist.

February 2012: Comments on Falkland Islands dispute

In February 2012, Sean Penn met with the President of Argentina, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, and commented on the Falkland Islands dispute, advocating for diplomatic dialogue.

February 2012: Criticism for comments on Falklands dispute

In February 2012, Sean Penn's comments on the Falklands dispute were criticized by Falklands War veteran Simon Weston and British Conservative MP Patrick Mercer, who deemed Penn's statement "moronic."

February 2012: Support for Syrian Government

In February 2012, during the Syrian civil war, Sean Penn stood beside Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez as Venezuela supported the government of Syria, led by Bashar al-Assad.

July 2015: Communication with El Chapo's lawyer

Following Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán's escape from a Mexican prison in July 2015, communication between actress Kate del Castillo and Guzmán's lawyer increased to discuss producing a biographical film about Guzmán.

September 16, 2015: Lee Daniels references Penn's rumored domestic violence

In an interview published September 16, 2015, director Lee Daniels responded to criticism about Terrence Howard's continued career by referencing Sean Penn's rumored history of domestic violence.

January 9, 2016: Interview with El Chapo Published by Rolling Stone

On January 9, 2016, Rolling Stone reported that Sean Penn and Kate del Castillo had conducted a secret interview with fugitive Sinaloa Cartel boss Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán prior to his arrest.

May 2016: Penn Drops Defamation Lawsuit

In May 2016, Sean Penn dropped his $10 million defamation lawsuit against Lee Daniels after Daniels retracted his statement and apologized for referencing Penn's rumored history of domestic violence.

October 2020: Support for Armenia in Nagorno-Karabakh War

In October 2020, Sean Penn tweeted support for Armenia in the Nagorno-Karabakh war between Armenia and Azerbaijan, criticizing Turkey's involvement and simultaneously endorsing Joe Biden in the 2020 US presidential election.

October 2021: NLRB Complaint Against Penn and CORE

In October 2021, the National Labor Relations Board filed a complaint alleging that Sean Penn and CORE violated US federal labor law, implying threats to employees after complaints about working conditions.

2022: Penn expresses his position on masculinity

In 2022, Sean Penn expressed his position on masculinity, saying that men in American culture have become wildly feminised and that men have become quite feminised.