Sean Penn was born on August 17th, 1960, in Los Angeles County, California. He is an internationally acclaimed actor, film director, screenwriter, humanitarian and political and social activist.
His career as an actor started in 1974, on a television show. The wide recognition of his talent came with the first Academy Award nomination and the Best Actor Award at the Berlin Film Festival in 1995, for his leading role in the drama "Dead Man Walking".
Penn has collected several awards for his acting skills, including two Academy Awards, a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award. One of the movies he directed has also been nominated for two Academy Awards.
The actor’s humanitarian work is widely known, namely his actions on the wake of the Haiti earthquake and Hurricane Katrina, as well has his efforts towards the defense of human rights, environment and the promotion of peace.
Sean Penn has been seen surfing in Hawaii, reminding fans of his role as the surfer Jeff Spicoli from "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" (1982). Penn is an experienced surfer.