- Title: USA: FILM ACTOR SEAN PENN PRESENTED WITH MODERN MASTER ACTING AWARD
- Date: 2nd March 2002
- Summary: SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (MARCH 2, 2002) (REUTERS) SMV (SOUNDBITE) (English) SEAN PENN SAYING: " I've always had a kamikaze attitude about what appealed to me at the moment about a film. I think one of the things I've tried to avoid through the years and I think its been one of the damaging things for actors is to have any sense of careerism."
- Embargoed: 17th March 2002 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES AND VARIOUS FILM LOCATIONS
- Country: USA
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA52IRBS9RA1UX8QLSVDA4EIZWZ
- Story Text: Often labelled one of the most influential actors of his generation, Sean Penn was honoured by the Santa Barbara Film Festival on Sunday (March 02) when he received the "Modern Master" award for 2002. Joining him to celebrate more than two decades in the business were some of the industry's most powerful names including Dennis Hopper, Kevin Spacey and Anjelica Huston.
Sean Penn received the highest honour from the Santa Barbara Film Festival when he was named their "Modern Master 2002" to a standing ovation of some of the industry's top names.
Among those attending the sold out ceremony in Santa Barbara's historic Arlington Theatre were Mickey Rourke, Dennis Hopper, Vince Vaughn, Kevin Spacey and Anjelica Huston who called Sean " one of the best actors in America."
Penn has made headlines recently when he received his third academy award nomination this year for his performance in " I am Sam" he has become one of the most respected and provocative actors of his generation, with an extensive filmography which includes work as a director, producer, writer and actor. Penn made his feature film acting debut in 1981 in Harold Becker's" Taps" and went on to win over audiences as pothead surfer Jeff Spicoli in " Fast Times at Ridgemont High". Among Penn's most acclaimed performances include his role as a corrupt lawyer opposite Al Pacino in "Carlito's Way" for which he received a Golden Globe nomination. He has been nominated for three Academy awards for his work in the Woody Allen film " Sweet and Lowdown", as a death row inmate opposite Susan Sarandon in "Dead Man Walking"
and again this year for " I am Sam." Penn has refused to attend to the awards ceremonies in the past and is remaining tight lipped on whether he will go this year.
Declared by Time magazine as "America's best actor" Penn is often compared to the best of an older generation of volatile actors including Brando, De Niro and Dean but the actor insists he maintains a "kamikaze" attitude to acting, refusing to carve out a specific career path for himself.
Among his closest friends is Jack Nicholson, who he refers to as an "angel on his shoulder".
Penn has also received numerous accolades for his work on stage. He made his Broadway debut in "Heartland" and most recently was seen in Sam Shepard's " The Late Henry Moss."
Penn is married to actress Robin Wright Penn who has featured alongside him in films such as "Hurly Burly, "She's So Lovely" and "The Pledge". Together they have two children Dylan Frances and Hopper Jack. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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