Sean Penn Sparks Attention by Smoking Indoors at 2026 Golden Globes Sean Penn drew notice at the 2026 Golden Globes when he lit a cigarette at his table inside the Beverly Hilton theater instead of stepping outside. The “One Battle After Another” actor was reportedly seen smoking during the ceremony, seated beside Leonardo DiCaprio as chatted with Kate Hudson.
Photos of the moment circulated online, with social media users noting visible smoke drifting onscreen during the awards broadcast. One attendee joked on X: “Wait—the smoke I saw during the animated film award was SEAN PENN SMOKING FRONT ROW?!” Others quipped about Penn’s dedication to cigarettes, with one fan writing: “Find someone who loves you like Sean Penn loves cigarettes.”
This isn’t the first time Penn has sparked attention for his smoking habits. Vanity Fair recalled him puffing through a 2025 outdoor interview, and he chain-smoked during a fiery anti-Oscars rant at the 2024 Marrakech Film Festival.
Penn was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for “One Battle After Another,” though the award went to Stellan Skarsgård for “Sentimental Value.” His film claimed four Globes, including Best Motion Picture (Musical/Comedy) and Best Director.