Childhood and Education Journey of Sean Penn in Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Sean Penn, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

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

January 1985: Penn and Madonna Meet

In January 1985, Sean Penn met Madonna on the set of her "Material Girl" music video.

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August 16, 1985: Sean Penn and Madonna get married

On August 16, 1985, Sean Penn married singer-songwriter Madonna on her 27th birthday. Penn turned 25 the next day.

December 1987: Madonna Files For Divorce, Then Withdraws

In December 1987, Madonna filed for divorce from Sean Penn, but withdrew the papers two weeks later.

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.

April 13, 1991: Birth of Dylan Frances Penn

On April 13, 1991, Sean Penn and Robin Wright's first child, a daughter named Dylan Frances, was born.

August 6, 1993: Birth of Hopper Jack Penn

On August 6, 1993, Sean Penn and Robin Wright's second child, a son named Hopper Jack, was born.

April 27, 1996: Sean Penn and Robin Wright Get Married

On April 27, 1996, Sean Penn and Robin Wright married after reconciling.

June 10, 2005: Sean Penn visits Iran

On June 10, 2005, Sean Penn visited Iran as a journalist for the San Francisco Chronicle, attending a Friday prayer at Tehran University.

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.

April 19, 2007: Penn Appears on The Colbert Report

On April 19, 2007, Sean Penn appeared on The Colbert Report and had a "Meta-Free-Phor-All" versus Stephen Colbert that was judged by Robert Pinsky following Penn's criticisms of Bush. Penn won the contest with 10,000,000 points to Colbert's 1.

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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.

December 2007: Penn and Wright File for Divorce, Then Reconcile

In December 2007, Sean Penn and Robin Wright filed for divorce but reconciled several months later, requesting a court dismissal of their divorce case.

February 22, 2009: Academy Award for Best Actor

On February 22, 2009, Sean Penn received the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the film Milk, and in his acceptance speech, he advocated for equal rights.

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April 2009: Sean Penn Files for Legal Separation, Then Withdraws

In April 2009, Sean Penn filed for legal separation from Robin Wright, only to withdraw the case once again when the couple reconciled in May.

August 12, 2009: Robin Wright Files for Divorce Again

On August 12, 2009, Robin Wright filed for divorce from Sean Penn again.

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.

July 22, 2010: Sean Penn and Robin Wright Divorce Finalized

On July 22, 2010, the divorce between Sean Penn and Robin Wright was finalized, with a private agreement reached regarding child and spousal support, division of assets, and custody of their son, Hopper.

2010: CORE distributed aid in Haiti

In 2010, Sean Penn's nonprofit organization Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE) distributed aid in Haiti following the country's earthquake.

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.

March 23, 2012: Visits flood-stricken villages in Pakistan

On March 23, 2012, Sean Penn, accompanied by US Consul General William J. Martin, visited flood-stricken villages in the Badin District of Pakistan, where he distributed aid to flood survivors.

March 24, 2012: Visits Bilquis Edhi Female Child Home in Pakistan

On March 24, 2012, during his visit to Pakistan, Sean Penn visited Bilquis Edhi Female Child Home and met Pakistani humanitarian worker Abdul Sattar Edhi and his wife Bilquis Edhi, and paid tribute to Abdullah Shah Ghazi.

December 2013: Penn begins dating Charlize Theron

In December 2013, Sean Penn began dating South African actress Charlize Theron.

2013: Role in Jacob Ostreicher's release

In 2013, Sean Penn is believed to have played a role in securing the release of American entrepreneur Jacob Ostreicher from a Bolivian prison, and was credited by Ostreicher for having personally nursed him back to health after his release.

2013: Penn's comments on Chávez's death

In 2013, upon the death of Hugo Chávez, Sean Penn praised Chávez and his leadership, expressing that the United States had lost a friend and poor people around the world lost a champion.

June 2015: Penn and Theron relationship ends

In June 2015, Sean Penn's relationship with Charlize Theron ended.

July 30, 2020: Sean Penn marries Leila George

On July 30, 2020, Sean Penn married Australian actress Leila George, daughter of actors Vincent D'Onofrio and Greta Scacchi.

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 15, 2021: Leila George files for divorce

On October 15, 2021, Leila George filed for divorce from Sean Penn.

February 25, 2022: Statement on Ukraine

On February 25, 2022, Sean Penn, who was in Ukraine filming a documentary about the Russian invasion, stated that if America allows Ukraine to fight alone, its soul is lost.

April 22, 2022: Divorce Finalized

On April 22, 2022, Sean Penn's divorce from Leila George was finalized.

November 2022: Penn Lends Oscar to Zelenskyy

In Kyiv in November 2022, Sean Penn lent an Oscar statuette to President Zelenskyy and in turn, Zelensky awarded Penn the Ukrainian Order of Merit.

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.