SON’S FOUL OUTBURST ANGERS PENN
Hopper’s foul outburst took focus off paparazzi’s offenses
Sean Penn is said to be furious about his son Hopper’s expletive-laced rant against an African-American paparazzo, an outburst that included the fword, the n-word and a gay slur.
The reason: The language made Hopper the bad guy and took the focus off the frequent privacy intrusions the Penns experience.
According to a source close to the two-time Oscar-winning actor, “Sean obviously is no stranger to run-ins with the press, paparazzi and even overintrusive fans. ... But what made him angry with Hopper was that when he called the paparazzo all those horrible names — using language that was totally inappropriate — it undercut the whole point of how those sleazy paparazzi make the lives of celebrities so uncomfortable.
“Now, Hopper has had to apologize — as he should — and all the focus is on his behavior and not that of the guy who was getting in his face taking those photos.”
Hopper Penn issued a statement to TMZ apologizing for his angry outburst. “I was accosted by paparazzi and made to feel like an animal — threatened and under attack, but that does not condone my own actions. I deeply regret my choice of words.”
Sean Penn, who was with his son at the time, completely ignored the photographers and silently entered the building they were visiting. According to my source, he assumed his son would have followed suit.
See blogs.suntimes.com/arts_entertainment for video of the outburst.
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CRITICS PLAN FESTIVAL: Highlights of the first Chicago Critics Film Festival, April 12-14 at the Muvico Theaters Rosemont 18, include appearances by Oscar winner William Friedkin, Academy Award nominee Sarah Polley, William Katt and Ashley Bell, plus director James Ponsoldt (“Smashed”) presenting his Sun- dance hit dramedy “The Spectacular Now,” starring Shailene Woodley, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kyle Chandler and Miles Teller.
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