He was born on October 10, 1965 in Los Angeles, California, to Leo Penn, an actor and director, and Eileen Ryan, an actress. His older brother, Sean Penn, is also an actor.
Penn began his acting career in the early 1980s with small roles in films such as “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” (1982) and “Footloose” (1984). He had his first major role in the 1986 film “At Close Range” starring his brother Sean.
Penn’s other notable film roles include “Reservoir Dogs” (1992), “True Romance” (1993), “Mulholland Falls” (1996), and “Starsky & Hutch” (2004).
Penn’s final film role was in the 2006 film “Flags of Our Fathers.”
Penn died of a heart attack on January 24, 2006 at the age of 40.
General Info
Full Name
Chris Penn
Died
January 24, 2006, Santa Monica, California, United States
Height
1.78 m
Profession
Film producer, Voice Actor
Education
Santa Monica High School
Nationality
American
Family
Parents
Leo Penn, Eileen Ryan Penn
Siblings
Sean Penn, Michael Penn
Accomplishments
Awards
Volpi Cup for Best Supporting Performer
Nominations
Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead, Genie Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Movies
Reservoir Dogs, Footloose, At Close Range, Rush Hour, Rumble Fish, True Romance, Pale Rider, Best of the Best, All the Right Moves, Mulholland Falls, The Funeral, Short Cuts, Starsky & Hutch, Murder by Numbers, The Wild Life, To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar, Corky Romano, Beethoven'...
TV Shows
The Brotherhood of Poland, New Hampshire, AFP: American Fighter Pilot
They offer me a lot more money to do something that was successful before than to take a risk. More power to the people who get to choose their roles. I don't.
2
You have to believe that you are the character or the thing or whatever the hell you're playing.
Facts
#
Fact
1
Aftermath (2013), Penn's final movie, was released seven years after his death.
2
At the time of his death, he lived in condo #104 at 1033 Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, California.
Had been slated to play the role of Danno Hanks in the WB series "Vermin & Pestilence" before the project was canceled when AOL/Time Warner stock tanked.
Vicki Roberts hosted a private screening of the movie Vice (2008), which was dedicated to the memory of Chris Penn and which was attended by his mother, Eileen Ryan.
Buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, 5835 Slauson Avenue, Culver City, California (Los Angeles County). Section CC Tier 54 near father Leo Penn's site.
12
Had a black belt in karate.
13
Started acting at age 12 at the Loft Studio in Los Angeles and training under acting guru Peggy Feury.
14
Originally had role in American Pie 2 (2001) as Stiffler's dad but the scenes were cut since they were not deemed to fit in with the original movie (Source: Beneath the Crust: American Pie 2 (2001)).
He and his brother Sean Penn also appeared as brothers in At Close Range (1986). In addition to that, their actress mother, Eileen Ryan, played their grandmother.
