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 celebrated American actor and film director recognized for his intense performances. He has garnered significant acclaim, including two Academy Awards, a Golden Globe, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. He also received an Honorary César in 2015, solidifying his influence and contributions to the film industry.

Sections (5)

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

January 1985: Meets Madonna

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

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August 16, 1985: Marries Madonna

On August 16, 1985, Sean Penn married singer Madonna on her 27th birthday.

October 1985: Plea in journalist assault case

In October 1985, Sean Penn pled no contest to charges that he assaulted two journalists in Nashville in June 1985 and was fined $50 on each of two misdemeanor charges of assault and battery.

January 1986: Charged for allegedly assaulting journalist in Macau

In January 1986, Sean Penn was charged for allegedly assaulting Leonel Borralho, a Macau correspondent, after he photographed Madonna and Penn.

June 1986: 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, who Penn accused of trying to kiss Madonna.

1986: Stars in Shanghai Surprise and Dedication of True Blue

In 1986, Sean Penn and Madonna starred in the poorly reviewed film "Shanghai Surprise". Also in 1986, Madonna dedicated her album "True Blue" to Sean Penn.

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April 1987: Arrested for punching a film extra

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

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June 1987: Sentenced to jail for assault and reckless driving

In June 1987, Sean Penn was sentenced to 60 days in jail for assaulting a film extra and reckless driving. He served 33 days of the sentence and was incarcerated in the same jail holding serial killer Richard Ramirez.

December 1987: Madonna files for divorce

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 him.

1989: Begins dating Robin Wright

In 1989, Sean Penn began dating actress Robin Wright.

April 13, 1991: Birth of daughter Dylan Frances

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

August 6, 1993: Birth of son Hopper Jack

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

1995: Separation from Wright and Relationship with Jewel

In 1995, Sean Penn and Robin Wright separated, during which time he developed a relationship with singer Jewel.

April 27, 1996: Marries Robin Wright

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

October 18, 2002: Advertisement in The Washington Post

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

December 2002: Brief visit to Iraq

In December 2002, Sean Penn visited Iraq briefly. His criticism of the Bush administration drew praise from his ex-wife Madonna.

2002: Protests Bush administration's Iraq plans

From December 13-16, 2002, Sean Penn visited Iraq to protest against the Bush administration's plans for a military strike.

June 10, 2005: Visits Iran as a journalist

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

September 2005: Aids Hurricane Katrina victims

In September 2005, Sean Penn traveled to New Orleans to aid Hurricane Katrina victims and was physically involved in rescuing people.

January 7, 2006: Guest at Progressive Democrats of America forum

On January 7, 2006, Sean Penn was a special guest at the Progressive Democrats of America, joining Norman Solomon and Cindy Sheehan at their "Out of Iraq Forum" in Sacramento, California.

December 18, 2006: Receives Christopher Reeve First Amendment Award

On December 18, 2006, Sean Penn received the Christopher Reeve First Amendment Award from the Creative Coalition for his commitment to free speech.

2006: Interviewed for Spike Lee documentary

In 2006, Director Spike Lee interviewed Sean Penn for Lee's documentary about Hurricane Katrina, "When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts".

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April 19, 2007: Appearance 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. Penn won the contest.

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December 7, 2007: Supports Dennis J. Kucinich in 2008 election

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

December 2007: Files for divorce from Wright (first time)

In December 2007, Sean Penn and Robin Wright filed for divorce, but reconciled several months later.

August 2008: Attends Ralph Nader rally

In August 2008, Sean Penn attended one of Ralph Nader's "Open the Debates" super rallies, protesting against the exclusion of Nader and other third-party candidates.

October 2008: Visits Cuba and interviews Raul Castro

In October 2008, Sean Penn visited Cuba and interviewed then-Cuban president Raúl Castro.

2008: Supports Dennis J. Kucinich in 2008 election

In 2008, Sean Penn supported Ohio Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich in the U.S. presidential election.

April 2009: Files for legal separation (first time)

In April 2009, Sean Penn filed for legal separation from Robin Wright, but withdrew the case in May after reconciling.

August 12, 2009: Wright files for divorce again

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

October 2009: Altercation with photographer

In October 2009, Sean Penn had an altercation with photographer Frank Mateljan.

May 2010: Pleads no contest to misdemeanor charge

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

July 22, 2010: Divorce from Wright finalized

On July 22, 2010, Sean Penn and Robin Wright's divorce was finalized, with a private agreement reached on child and spousal support.

2010: Founds J/P Haitian Relief Organization

After the 2010 Haiti earthquake, Sean Penn founded the J/P Haitian Relief Organization, which operated a 55,000-person tent camp.

January 31, 2012: Designated Ambassador-at-Large for Haiti

On January 31, 2012, Sean Penn was designated by Haitian president Michel Martelly as Ambassador-at-Large for Haiti, the first non-Haitian citizen to hold the position.

February 2012: Comments on Falkland Islands Dispute

In February 2012, Sean Penn met with the President of Argentina, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, in Buenos Aires, commenting on the Falkland Islands dispute and advocating for dialogue to resolve the conflict.

March 23, 2012: Visit to Flood-Stricken Villages in Pakistan

On March 23, 2012, Sean Penn, accompanied by U.S. Consul General William J. Martin, visited flood-stricken villages in the Badin District of Pakistan. He distributed essential goods, including blankets, quilts, and kitchen items, to flood survivors.

March 24, 2012: Visit to Bilquis Edhi Female Child Home

On March 24, 2012, Sean Penn visited the Bilquis Edhi Female Child Home in Pakistan. During his visit, he met with Abdul Sattar Edhi and his wife, Bilquis Edhi, and paid respects at the shrine of Abdullah Shah Ghazi.

May 2016: Penn drops defamation suit against Daniels

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

January 18, 2019: Hulu cancels The First

On January 18, 2019, Hulu canceled the science fiction drama series "The First", in which Sean Penn played the leading role of astronaut Tom Hagerty, after only one season.

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July 30, 2020: Marries Leila George

On July 30, 2020, Sean Penn married Leila George.

October 2020: Support for Armenia in Nagorno-Karabakh War

In October 2020, Sean Penn tweeted his support for Armenia in the Nagorno-Karabakh war. He also criticized Turkey's involvement in the conflict and endorsed Joe Biden in the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

October 15, 2021: George files for divorce

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

2021: Denounces cancel culture

In 2021, Sean Penn denounced cancel culture, describing it as "ludicrous".

February 25, 2022: Statement on Ukraine

On February 25, 2022, amidst the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Sean Penn stated, "If we allow it [Ukraine] to fight alone, our soul as America is lost."

April 22, 2022: Divorce from George finalized

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

November 2022: Lending Oscar to Zelenskyy

In Kyiv in November 2022, Sean Penn lent his Oscar statuette to President Zelenskyy as a symbol of support, while Zelenskyy awarded Penn the Ukrainian Order of Merit.