Comments on: Chris Penn found dead

Chris Penn found dead

super_not — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 18:56:38 -0800

Chris Penn found dead. The 43 year old actor was found dead in a Santa Monica residence.

By: Baby_Balrog

Baby_Balrog — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 19:06:14 -0800

That's "stop pointing that gun at my dad" Chris Penn - right?

By: Pollomacho

Pollomacho — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 19:09:26 -0800

At first I flashed Penn Teller in my head and though, "somebody offed that guy." Then I quickly realized my mistake. It's unfortunate, he was still really young. Did he have a family?

By: jrossi4r

jrossi4r — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 19:10:57 -0800

Aw, man. I always liked him.

By: solid-one-love

solid-one-love — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 19:12:42 -0800

While he didn't have the chops of his brother, he did have a Golden Globe and two Volpi awards (from the Venice FIlm Festival) on his mantle. I particularly liked his work in the short-lived TV series "The Brotherhood of Poland, New Hampshire" and his early work in "Pale Rider".

By: super_not

super_not — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 19:12:52 -0800

Well, Pollomacho... he has a brother.

By: Jikido

Jikido — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 19:14:21 -0800

Did he have a family? Yeah, Sean is his brother. oops beat me.

By: filchyboy

filchyboy — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 19:14:31 -0800

Haven't seen him around town lately. I figured he was Andy's doppleganger. I suspect Chris' death is simply a clever way for Andy to avoid admitting his alter ego on the streets of Santa Monica. Westsiiiiiiiide! Or rather, .

By: padraigin

padraigin — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 19:17:28 -0800

Michael's his brother, too. .

By: Pollomacho

Pollomacho — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 19:18:35 -0800

I meant wife, kids... oh never mind.

By: super_not

super_not — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 19:21:05 -0800

Chris played "Nice Guy Eddie" in one of my favorite films: Resevoir Dogs. I agree he didn't have the "chops" of his brother, but I think it had less to do with talent, and more to do with the fact that he was not nearly as good looking as his bro.

By: cavalier

cavalier — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 19:22:32 -0800

Damn. That's sudden. But it's a testament to that film that the first thing I thought of was "STOP POINTING THAT GUN AT MY DAD!" .

By: scody

scody — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 19:24:49 -0800

Aw, too bad. I like all those Penn boys.

By: jonmc

jonmc — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 19:25:41 -0800

Damn. Fare the well, Nice Guy Eddie.

By: Gator

Gator — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 19:26:13 -0800

I was gonna say, "Never heard of 'im" (well, I wasn't gonna say it here, because that would be mean), but then I looked at the IMDb and holy shit, Sheriff Dollard! From Wong Foo! Receiver of the immortal line, "Get your hands off my dick!" from Patrick Swayze! Which is to say, .

By: bobo123

bobo123 — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 19:29:35 -0800

I thought he had really good chemistry with Samuel L. Jackson in GTA: San Andreas, his delivery was great in that game.

By: PurplePorpoise

PurplePorpoise — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 19:34:48 -0800

more to do with the fact that he was not nearly as good looking as his bro. Sean is considered good looking? Maybe a touch of the Steve Buscemi syndrome (although Buscemi is an a far far stronger actor).

By: dhartung

dhartung — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 19:35:03 -0800

Damn, I'm a huge fan of ... well, his family. And there's a passing small chance we're related.

By: ghastlyfop

ghastlyfop — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 19:35:47 -0800

I always remembered him, fondly, from Short Cuts and, strangely, The Wild Life, which, shockingly, I have have now discovered through that imdb link, was written by Cameron Crowe?

By: super_not

super_not — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 19:37:28 -0800

Sean is considered good looking? Well, more good looking than Chris anyway.

By: ghastlyfop

ghastlyfop — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 19:40:13 -0800

Wow, you are all a bunch of assholes.

By: Gator

Gator — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 19:44:34 -0800

Huh? Why?

By: djeo

djeo — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 19:46:54 -0800

By: ghastlyfop

ghastlyfop — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 19:49:25 -0800

Just let him rest in peace--don't call out the fact that you barely remember him. .

By: Gator

Gator — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 19:51:46 -0800

If that were how I felt, I would have kept it to myself. As it happens, when I looked him up, I realized he was in one of my favorite movies, and said so. That okay with you, hoss?

By: Jikido

Jikido — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 19:52:37 -0800

I meant wife, kids... oh never mind I have a same-sex partner, brother, sister, mom, four dogs and cat...are we a famil.....oh never mind.

By: Jikido

Jikido — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 19:52:52 -0800

By: Astro Zombie

Astro Zombie — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 20:02:20 -0800

Cintra Wilson on Chris Penn from Salon (registration or watching an ad required):

But then came the jewel in the crown of Christopher Penn's acting career, and this was Abel Ferrara's "The Funeral" (1996), where Chris plays a mentally ill suicidal gangster. Either Chris Penn has the best imagination ever captured on film, or the Penn boys' emotional color wheels are naturally so supremely black that they make Sylvia Plath's look like sample chips for baby's bedroom. Chris was able to inhabit a Jungian shadow-self that any sane angel would fear to tread, in such a hardcore and chilling performance it makes it impossible not to presume that he has actually endured some bone-splinteringly dark nights of the soul. This is the apotheosis of Chris Penn. He is an Italian gangster hovering over the open casket of his little brother (Vincent Gallo, an ideal corpse). His face paints an entire road map of emotions. He grabs Gallo's suit. "My baby brother," he whimpers, his mouth grimacing in despair. He dissolves into tears. Then, he remembers himself: He's a mobster. The tears turn ugly. He starts hacking out involuntary grief noises that get louder and louder until they escalate into a screaming, spitting, casket-pounding fury. Christopher Walken and other black-clad, sallow-eyed Italo-actorini try to restrain him. Chris Penn's bloodshot eyes go momentarily wide and satanic -- a murderous plot appears in his brain like a fever blister. Then -- he knows it won't help -- he dissolves into blubbering grief again. Then, with a swallow, he snaps his head, pulls himself together, wipes his face, wetly kisses Walken on the face. He is drained, he's wrecked, but he is OK to go to the buffet table.

By: Pollomacho

Pollomacho — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 20:08:01 -0800

Yes, Jikido, of course you're a family. If you died and there was a post I might ask the same thing though. He was a young guy, potentially he could have young kids, no? I was just thinking of them (if they exist). Notice I put ellipsis on the end of the sentence, that signifies there are more options other than wife and kids, but that I just cut off the sentence there. He could have a mail order Thai bride and a parrot at home or a 75 year old masseur named Gunther for all I care, I was just thinking of the people he may have been supporting at home, whomever they may be, I don't know, that's why I asked. The article already mentioned Sean if I didn't already know that much.

By: codeofconduct

codeofconduct — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 20:08:58 -0800

Damn, Astro, I might have to check that one out. Sad news.

By: UseyurBrain

UseyurBrain — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 20:11:51 -0800

Dang...he died awful young. .

By: Jikido

Jikido — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 20:12:56 -0800

The article already mentioned Sean if I didn't already know that much. cool. sad news, and he was very young. I hope that everyone that loved him will remember him for a long time and not forget whatever they shared. I lost a brother (to cancer) when I was 23 and he was sixteen. It hurt. Bad.

By: insomnia_lj

insomnia_lj — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 20:14:54 -0800

Well, yeah, I remember him, but really, who gives a damn? He was the weakest actor in Reservoir Dogs. Tony Franciosa dies, and not a peep, but Sean Penn's brother dies and we all get to read a pageful of dots? Screw that. He's no Joan Maynard. He's not worthy of a period. There. He got a pixel. Happy now?!

By: qwip

qwip — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 20:17:11 -0800

Wow, you are all a bunch of assholes. Wha...?

By: mr_crash_davis

mr_crash_davis — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 20:18:24 -0800

I will always remember him doing that off-time goofy-ass half-walk half-strut while Kevin Bacon led him around trying to teach him to dance in Footloose. Ah, we were all so young then.

By: bwg

bwg — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 20:18:25 -0800

That sucks. I liked Chris Penn.

By: booth

booth — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 20:22:41 -0800

Weird. We were just watching Short Cuts tonight (until we were inundated with phone calls). We've seen it before, and Chris Penn's character completely creeped out my wife. (Also, he's my age.)

By: spock

spock — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 20:35:28 -0800

Wow, you are all a bunch of assholes. I believe that, before the $5.00, it was the only qualification necessary for becoming a member.

By: Balisong

Balisong — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 20:37:55 -0800

Wow, you are all a bunch of assholes. I blame Bush. .

By: super_not

super_not — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 20:48:08 -0800

Pollomacho: According to this page he has a girlfriend. No mention of any kids (but who knows?)

By: super_not

super_not — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 20:50:41 -0800

On closer inspection, it looks like he HAD a girlfriend... in 1985.

By: Penks

Penks — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 20:51:09 -0800

By: Clay201

Clay201 — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 20:53:59 -0800

During the post Clerks/Tarantino Independent-and-then-progressively-less-so Movie era, Chris seemed to be everywhere. Short Cuts and Reservoir Dogs as already mentioned, but also movies like Deceiver and True Romance. One's memory can certainly exaggerate this sort of thing, but according to IMDB, he did in fact have roles in seven (count em; seven) films released in 1993. Personally, I thought he was a better actor than Sean. I hope the poor bastard rests in peace.

By: Aknaton

Aknaton — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 21:00:39 -0800

I thought he was a fine actor, and am sorry to hear of his early death. but... this is hardly "Best of the Web". I toast Chris Penn's memory, and crap on this FPP.

By: hincandenza

hincandenza — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 21:02:56 -0800

Wow... that is really weird- I was just watching that one calf implants episode of Entourage not 20 minutes ago via On Demand. Penn's character was working out in a boxing gym, saying "I'm gonna lose this weight!"; be a shame if he died of something weight-related, such as heart issues.

By: 2sheets

2sheets — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 21:40:54 -0800

I encountered him once in a non-pretentious, non-celebrity type situation and found him to be a nice fellow. RIP, Chris.

By: You Should See the Other Guy

You Should See the Other Guy — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 21:49:25 -0800

He was the weakest actor in Reservoir Dogs. Hardly possible considered Tarantino acted in the film. I was just watching that one calf implants episode I just watched it last night--was surprised to see him on the show. .

By: vito90

vito90 — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 21:52:21 -0800

I always loved the scene in Reservoir Dogs where he is reunited with his old pal Michael Madsen in his father's (Lawrence Tierney) office. "You know what, I think it's all that black semen been pumped up your ass so far, now it's backed into your fuckin brain, and it's coming out your mouth!"

By: Busithoth

Busithoth — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 22:05:29 -0800

His character in Short Cuts disturbed me plenty. I loved his voice in San Andreas, too.

By: Alvy Ampersand

Alvy Ampersand — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 22:11:54 -0800

Odd, I found this to be a very pleasant thread quite lacking in assholery (With the obvious exceptions). For a lot of folks, Chris Penn was a "Hey, it's that guy!" actor - always interesting, always memorable, but never the star. Hopefully/sadly, his death might prompt some of them to watch his lesser known work and appreciate what a talent he was. Insomnia, they're our '.' to waste however we see fit. If you're seriously outraged, why not take that energy and make the asskickingest Joan Maynard or Tony Franciosa* FPP and teach us how to show our respect with the class and taste we're all so obviously lacking. *I know he used to date Tom Waits' maw, but other than that I could give a fig about the guy.

By: Joey Michaels

Joey Michaels — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 22:23:23 -0800

Chris Penn's performance in "Short Cuts" was one of my favorites in a Robert Altman film. Very talented guy and one who I thought was destined for much bigger things. RIP.

By: Smedleyman

Smedleyman — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 22:24:15 -0800

FUCK! 43 years old. Shit. I liked Chris Penn. Crap. Talent, no talent, he seemed like just this guy who did pretty good, not as good as his brother, but ok, y'know? I don't know, he just seemed more like a regular guy. .

By: Duncan

Duncan — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 22:45:06 -0800

By: LeeJay

LeeJay — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 23:14:40 -0800

By: patcoston

patcoston — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 00:07:53 -0800

According to imdb.com (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001606/) he hasn't died yet (as of 11:59 PM PST Tue 1/24/2006). I wonder how long it is before they update an actor's death. His character in Shortcuts creeped me out big time! I loved him most in Reservoir Dogs. Trivia: Besides the close-range shoot-out he was in at the end of Reservoir Dogs he was also in close-range shoot-outs in True Romance and Corky Romano. He's got two movies in post-production due out in 2006: * Aftermath * King of Sorrow So hopefully we'll see a 4th and 5th close-range shoot-out. When I saw the head-line that Chris Penn died my first thought was that he died in a close-range shoot-out.

By: matteo

matteo — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 00:24:13 -0800

Astro's right, check out The Funeral, it's a masterpiece. I liked him a lot -- Short Cuts, Reservoir Dogs, At Close Range, Rumble Fish... and 43 is way too young. .

By: Frasermoo

Frasermoo — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 01:18:43 -0800

Shame, I always liked to see him pop up in a film. Even more of a shame that he died so young.

By: Hat Maui

Hat Maui — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 01:26:44 -0800

single period

By: Astro Zombie

Astro Zombie — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 01:44:09 -0800

He really was great in San Andreas.

By: TrinityB5

TrinityB5 — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 02:31:46 -0800

Plus his current movie, The Darwin Awards just happens to have its debut at Sundance today, Wednesday January 25, 2006.

By: PareidoliaticBoy

PareidoliaticBoy — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 03:32:23 -0800

Well that's possibly pretty ironic, TrinityB5. As always with this kind of sudden death of a celebrity, the suspicion of a drug-overdose pops into mind. I believe that I might have mentioned this here before, 2sheets; I had the pleasure of meeting his brother Sean Penn some years back. Unlike his reputation, I found him to be polite and unassuming, about as level-headed and without ego as any other average person. Guess it ran in the family. Too bad.

By: graventy

graventy — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 03:50:58 -0800

Goodbye Officer Pulaski. .

By: RokkitNite

RokkitNite — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 04:55:38 -0800

No more Mr Nice Guy. (Eddie)

By: steef

steef — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 05:49:39 -0800

Aw, crap. The Wild Life. "It's casual."

By: Lucinda

Lucinda — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 05:53:23 -0800

By: OmieWise

OmieWise — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 06:35:05 -0800

It's funny, I just rewatched Pale Rider, and I was surprised to see Penn in it, I'd forgotten that he was so young and thin once. He did a creditable job.

By: TrinityB5

TrinityB5 — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 06:55:00 -0800

ironic indeed. hopefully it was not drugs, but i do if it could be health related. 43-year old people don't usually just drop dead of 'natural causes'. while i enjoyed watching him in that "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" episode (playing "Tommy Onerato" in episode: "Death Roe" (episode # 4.15) 13 March 2005), i did take note of his ballooning weight - and his change in skin tone/colour which even make-up did not hide - with some concern.

By: ZippityBuddha

ZippityBuddha — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 07:26:04 -0800

I just watched The Funeral, last night. He is exceptional in that

By: illovich

illovich — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 07:40:20 -0800

The bitterest irony for me is that his newest film premieres today (or tomorrow?), and that it's called the Darwin Awards. Oh yeah, and .

By: kaseijin

kaseijin — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 07:57:47 -0800

He was underrated as an actor. .

By: jalexei

jalexei — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 08:25:32 -0800

Wow, you are all a bunch of assholes. Well, insomnia_lj seems to be, anyway. I confess to experiencing the odd juxtaposition of both enjoying his work and frequently mixing him up with Michael Rappaport. What that says I don't know, but may he rest in peace.

By: Hobbacocka

Hobbacocka — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 08:25:41 -0800

He was the ideal big lug. Anyone know what capped him?

By: NationalKato

NationalKato — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 08:27:18 -0800

"Comin' Home In A Bodybag. Great fuckin' movie." - Chris Penn, True Romance .

By: ed

ed — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 08:30:15 -0800

Here's another vote from me for The Funeral. Chris Penn's finest two hours. A shame he died so young. .

By: hardshoes

hardshoes — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 09:07:08 -0800

By: Dr-Baa

Dr-Baa — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 09:55:49 -0800

By: catchmurray

catchmurray — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 09:57:38 -0800

> Dang...he died awful young. Dang... he died so fat. Americans, put down the food. Step away from the food.

By: zpousman

zpousman — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 10:29:50 -0800

By: Ogre Lawless

Ogre Lawless — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 13:09:52 -0800

SF Chron had this under "Sean Penn's Brother is Found Dead", which I thought was a hell of an epitaph. I mean, we know he's one of those dreaded less-talented brothers, but still...

By: dgaicun

dgaicun — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 13:32:01 -0800

So you're telling me he just died all of a sudden, out of the fuckin' blue?! Now why don't you tell me what really happened?

By: Hat Maui

Hat Maui — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 14:40:42 -0800

Americans, put down the food. Step away from the food. you can have my twinkies when you pry them from my cold, dead ha... oh, wait -- pry away.

By: Lillitatiana

Lillitatiana — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 17:14:58 -0800

I actually found him sexier than Sean... and just as talented.

By: mecran01

mecran01 — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 20:53:58 -0800

Footloose.

By: Gator

Gator — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 21:05:21 -0800

Well, the autopsy didn't turn up anything. Is it normal for an autopsy to be performed so quickly in a death where no apparent foul play occurred?

By: dgaicun

dgaicun — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 23:29:29 -0800

Like I said . . .

By: dgaicun

dgaicun — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 23:45:59 -0800

I actually found him sexier than Sean Ok, I know the mans dead and all, but . . . yeeaah.