Smoke was in the air during the Golden Globes. Sean Penn decided to light up indoors, catching the attention of reporters, celebrities, and fans alike.
The actor sat next to Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Hudson during the ceremony, which took place in the Beverly Hilton. Keep reading to learn more about Penn’s cigarette habits and the health ramifications of smoking on your body below.
Sean Penn Smoking at Golden Globes
A Wall Street Journal reporter first caught Sean Penn lighting up during the ceremony, which is notable because California has banned smoking indoors since 1995.
Penn was nominated for his role in One Battle After Another, seated next to celebrity costars DiCaprio and Hudson. In other photos during the night, several cigarette butts could be seen in front of Penn, doused in a glass of water, proving it wasn’t just a one-time event.
After the reporter saw Penn, others pointed out on social media the moment they too realized someone was smoking indoors.
One person wrote on X, “Wait the waft of smoke I saw appear on screen when kpop demon hunters accepted their award was from SEAN PENN SMOKING FIRST ROW?!”
Another commented on Penn’s love for smoking, adding, “Find someone who loves you like Sean Penn love cigarettes.”
History of Smoking in Public Events
Social media was floored when Sean Penn was caught smoking at the Golden Globes. However, this is not out of character for Penn.
He has a history of on-air smoking, including during a 2018 appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and during the 2024 Marrakech Film Festival press conference.
The prominent actor started smoking in his early 20s on a film set, and has done so for decades since, even giving up trying to quit.
Many fans and social media users have noticed the dependence on smoking, with one X user commenting, “He smokes constantly. Anytime I have seen him do an interview he has been smoking. He must be seriously addicted to not be able to go a couple of hours without it.”
Not AI-Generated
The image spread across social media platforms fast, but many believed the image to be AI-generated. In a world where fake images can look deceivingly real, it makes sense to have some doubts about Sean Penn smoking indoors.
However, it is a real photo. The image was first shared on X by Wall Street Journal reporter Ben Fritz with the caption, “This can’t be legal.”
Many guests backed the claim of Penn smoking indoors, while others stepped outside. This included actress Hannah Einbinder, commenting “saw with own eyes” on an Instagram post of the incident.
Health Ramifications of Smoking
While smoking may have been popular in the 90s, today the habit is linked with some serious health issues.
Smoking can damage nearly every organ in the body, increasing the chances of diseases like cancer, heart disease, stroke, and chronic lung disease.
The primary organ that gets affected is your lungs and respiratory system, as the smoke damages the alveoli and airways, leading to COPD and the risk of respiratory infections.
Plus, it’s not just the big factors you normally think about when smoking: cardiovascular system, respiratory system, and cancer. Smoking can impact several other aspects of your life, including reduced fertility, weakened immune system, Type 2 diabetes, bone density loss, eye diseases, dental problems, and premature aging of the skin. That’s not to forget that smoking can take years off your life.
If you happen to smoke, it may be worth reevaluating your decision and considering your health before you light up again.