Born to a Los Angeles theatrical family -- his father, Leo Penn, is a film and television director, and his mother, Eileen Ryan, is an actress -- Sean Penn directed and acted in his own Super 8mm films in high school and became involved with L.A.'s Group Repertory Theatre. Sharpening his stage craft with acting coach Peggy Feury, Sean won roles in TV movies and series, but decided to scrape together a one-way ticket for a shot at the New York stage.

He made his Broadway debut in Kevin Heelan's Heartland, which led directly to his first screen role, starring opposite Tom Cruise and Timothy Hutton in Taps.

Sean made his screenwriting and directing debut with The Indian Runner and went on to write, direct and produce The Crossing Guard starring Jack Nicholson, David Morse, Anjelica Huston and Robin Wright.

Sean's portrayal of Jeff Spicoli, the cheery pothead surfer of Amy Heckerling's Fast Times at Ridgemont High first established him as an actor of some consequence. He earned Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations in the Best Actor category for his role in Dead Man Walking.