Sean Penn has added another milestone to his celebrated Hollywood career, winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in One Battle After Another.
The award was presented during the 98th Academy Awards ceremony held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Actor Kieran Culkin announced Penn as the winner, though the 65-year-old actor was not present to accept the honor.
“He couldn’t be here tonight, or he didn’t want to,” Culkin remarked while presenting the award.
Penn’s win marks his third Oscar, further cementing his legacy as one of the most accomplished actors of his generation. He previously won Best Actor for his performances in Mystic River, directed by Clint Eastwood, and for portraying LGBTQ rights pioneer Harvey Milk in the biographical drama Milk directed by Gus Van Sant.
According to The Associated Press, Penn is currently in Ukraine. Mykola Serha, founder of the cultural initiative Cultural Forces, confirmed the actor’s presence in the country but did not disclose details of his visit.
In One Battle After Another, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, Penn portrays Col. Steven J. Lockjaw, a veteran political strategist navigating complex ideological battles and shifting alliances. The performance has been widely praised for combining Penn’s signature intensity with a more restrained and reflective approach.
The film’s ensemble cast also earned recognition during the awards season. Fellow nominees in the Best Supporting Actor category included Benicio Del Toro, Delroy Lindo for Sinners, Jacob Elordi for Frankenstein, and Stellan Skarsgård for Sentimental Value.
Penn first gained widespread attention in the early 1980s with roles such as his breakout performance in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Over the decades, he built a reputation for fearless and transformative performances in films including Dead Man Walking, Carlito’s Way, The Thin Red Line and I Am Sam.
His latest Oscar win further strengthens a career defined by bold choices and powerful dramatic performances.
