Sean Penn was recently seen enjoying a cigarette at his table during the 2026 Golden Globe Awards, opting not to step outside the Beverly Hilton. This moment caught attention, especially as he was close to his fellow actor, Leonardo DiCaprio.
As the scene unfolded, footage of Penn lighting up while DiCaprio chatted with Kate Hudson spread on social media, making him a talking point on the internet. Penn, at 65, became the subject of various comments online. One user tweeted in surprise, wondering, “Wait, was the smoke during KPOP’s Demon Hunter’s acceptance speech from Sean?” Another remarked about the initial belief that someone was vaping during a Best Animated Feature award presentation, only to find out it was Penn with a cigarette.
Other online reactions included playful banter, with one comment stating, “Find someone who loves you the way Sean Penn loves cigarettes.” With that said, it’s not unusual for Penn to smoke in public settings, as he’s been seen doing so at red carpets, interviews, and even press events. A previous conversation noted how he smoked throughout an interview in summer 2025, though at least it took place outdoors.
Penn had previously made headlines for his outspoken views, including a passionate anti-Oscar rant during a press conference at the Marrakech Film Festival where he was also chain-smoking.
Nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in “One Battle After Another,” Penn did not take home the award, which went to Stellan Skarsgard for “Sentimental Value.” Nevertheless, “One Battle After Another” performed well overall, securing four awards, including Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy), Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Supporting Female Actor.
