Sean Penn Oscar Speech

- Award for Best Actor
- Film: Milk
- Previous Best Actor Oscar Winners Sir Anthony Hopkins, Adrien Brody, Robert DeNiro, Michael Douglas and Sir Ben Kinsley presented the nominees
- Michael Douglas announced the winner and presented the Oscar
- Presented on February 22, 2009
- 81st Annual Academy Awards
- Host: Hugh Jackman
- Network: ABC
- Additional Red Carpet television coverage on E! and TV Guide
- Location: Kodak Theater at Hollywood and Highland in Hollywood, California

Sean Penn won the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of the late gay rights activist Harvey Milk in Milk.
Nominees
Acceptance Speech

"Thank you. Thank you. You commie, homo-loving sons-of-guns. I did not expect this, but I, and I want it to be very clear, that I do know how hard I make it to appreciate me often. But I am touched by the appreciation and I hoped for it enough that I did want to scribble down, so I had the names in case you were commie, homo-loving sons-of-guns, and so I want to thank my best friend, Sata Matsuzawa. My circle of long-time support, Mara, Brian, Barry and Bob. The great Cleve Jones. Our wonderful writer, Lance Black. Producers Bruce Cohen and Dan Jinks.
And particularly, as all, as actors know, our director either has the patience, talent and restraint to grant us a voice or they don't, and it goes from the beginning of the meeting, through the cutting room. And there is no finer hands to be in than Gus Van Sant. And finally, for those, two last finales, for those who saw the signs of hatred as our cars drove in tonight, I think that it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren's eyes if they continue that way of support.
We've got to have equal rights for everyone. And there are, and there are, these last two things. I'm very, very proud to live in a country that is willing to elect an elegant man president and a country who, for all its toughness, creates courageous artists. And this is in great due respect to all the nominees, but courageous artists, who despite a sensitivity that sometimes has brought enormous challenge, Mickey Rourke rises again and he is my brother. Thank you all very much."—Sean Penn Official Site: Oscars
Sean Penn Fast Facts
1. Full name: Sean Justin Penn
2. Born: August 17, 1960
3. Birthplace: Santa Monica, California
4. Spouse: Robin Wright
5. Child: Dylan Penn
6. Oscars: 2 for Mystic River and Milk
7. Golden Globe Awards: 1 for Mystic River
8. Married to Madonna from 1985-1989
9. Brother, Michael Penn, is a musician
10. Brother, Chris Penn, died in 2006

Sean Penn Oscar Speech
- ABC.com: Sean Penn Best Actor Acceptance Speech (Time: 4:07)
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Sean Penn Oscar Speech Questions
- DEBATE: Who had the better performance, Sean Penn in Milk or Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler? 9 Answers
  
  Mickey Rourke with out a doubt had a better performance than Sean Penn. Not only did Rourke train for 7 months sometimes 16 hours a day and bulked up 20+ lbs. ... read more
- How many oscars has Sean Penn won and for what movies? 1 Answer
  
  He won an Academy Award for Best Actor and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his role in Mystic River and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actor and... read more
- Who *will* win the best actor Oscar for 2009? Who *should* win the Best Actor Oscar for 2009? - Featured 26 Answers
  
  *will* win - Sean Penn, Milk *should* win - Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler Penn’s win at the Producer’s Guild Awards gives him a grand total of 17 Best Actor a... read more
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Sean Penn Oscar Speech Transcription

"Thank you. Thank you. You commie, homo-loving sons-of-guns. I did not expect this, but I, and I want it to be very clear, that I do know how hard I make it to appreciate me often. But I am touched by the appreciation and I hoped for it enough that I did want to scribble down, so I had the names in case you were commie, homo-loving sons-of-guns, and so I want to thank my best friend, Sata Matsuzawa. My circle of long-time support, Mara, Brian, Barry and Bob. The great Cleve Jones. Our wonderful writer, Lance Black. Producers Bruce Cohen and Dan Jinks.
And particularly, as all, as actors know, our director either has the patience, talent and restraint to grant us a voice or they don't, and it goes from the beginning of the meeting, through the cutting room. And there is no finer hands to be in than Gus Van Sant. And finally, for those, two last finallies, for those who saw the signs of hatred as our cars drove in tonight, I think that it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren's eyes if they continue that way of support.
We've got to have equal rights for everyone. And there are, and there are, these last two things. I'm very, very proud to live in a country that is willing to elect an elegant man president and a country who, for all its toughness, creates courageous artists. And this is in great due respect to all the nominees, but courageous artists, who despite a sensitivity that sometimes has brought enormous challenge, Mickey Rourke rises again and he is my brother. Thank you all very much."—Oscars