‘I never thought I’d become an actor one day.’ 
 

Posted on 14.10.2025

Headlining the film One Battle After Another by Paul Thomas Anderson, Sean Penn discusses his work as an actor and director.

© Chassignole

STARTING OUT
When I had no acting experience, I performed very instinctively. One day, one of my teachers said to me, 'Don't bring your character into the scene, bring the scene into yourself, and choose a role that is completely different from you'. It was hard because I was very self-conscious, but I practised a lot, and things got even better when I started getting paid! An actor is like a soldier: after a while, he no longer has to think about what weapon he needs.

MYSTIC RIVER
I enjoyed shooting this film. As the father of a daughter myself, it wasn't easy to take on this role, even though I liked the fact that this man was confident. In fact, I brought that part of the character home with me! Clint Eastwood usually only shoots one or two takes for each scene. So you'd better be ready right away!

HARVEY MILK
There were so many archival materials about him! For several months, I watched these video documents. I regretted not having met him. This work made me feel a great deal of affection for him. But I didn't try to imitate him.

JACK NICHOLSON
I directed him twice (in The Crossing Guard and The Pledge). He has these electronic pulsations in his brain that work together with his facial expressions and his voice. He has a dazzling mind, which makes him a movie star.

INTO THE WILD
This film was a big personal investment, a difficult shoot in natural settings, but the whole team was very involved. Young people are disappointed with the way society is changing. Something dirty is happening, and that was already the case when we were making the film. What I liked was the extreme way the hero decided to react to it. We can all identify with this story, with the battle raging inside this young man's head.

Reported by Fanny Bellocq