Sean Penn Sparks Controversy by Lighting Cigarette at Golden Globes Table

The atmosphere at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards took an unexpected turn when Hollywood veteran Sean Penn decided to ignore standard etiquette and local laws during the ceremony. While seated at his table inside the Beverly Hilton Hotel, the sixty-five-year-old actor was spotted lighting a cigarette in the middle of the crowded ballroom. This brazen act occurred despite strict California legislation that prohibits smoking indoors at public venues and hotels. Witnesses observed the actor using an empty glass as an impromptu ashtray while enjoying the festivities alongside his peers.

Social media platforms immediately lit up with reactions after Wall Street Journal reporter Ben Fritz shared an image of the incident online. The photograph clearly showed Penn inhaling from a cigarette while seated next to fellow stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Hudson. Fritz captioned the image with disbelief by questioning the legality of the stunt in such a high-profile setting. Reports from Vanity Fair indicated that while other guests politely excused themselves to smoke in designated outdoor areas, Penn simply chose to remain in his seat.

The actor was in attendance to celebrate his nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film ‘One Battle After Another’. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, the movie had a successful night and even secured the award for Best Motion Picture within its category. Penn appeared relaxed throughout the evening and seemed unbothered by the potential consequences of his actions or the surprised glances from surrounding tables. His casual demeanor suggested a throwback to an older era of Hollywood where such behavior was commonplace.

Host Nikki Glaser did not miss the opportunity to include the actor in her opening monologue by poking fun at his well-known humanitarian efforts. She joked that while many actors merely tell stories, Penn actually travels to dangerous parts of the world to offer aid and supposedly consume illicit substances. The room erupted in laughter when she humorously added that her jokes had been approved by his friends Charlie Sheen and El Chapo. Rather than taking offense, Penn was seen chuckling along with the audience and appeared to enjoy the roast.

This was not the first time the Academy Award winner has publicly disregarded smoking bans during televised appearances or major events. He previously smoked during an interview on ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ in 2018 and was seen doing the same at the Marrakech International Film Festival just two years ago. His latest defiance of the rules has sparked a debate about celebrity privilege and whether certain figures get a pass for behavior that would see others ejected.

Please share your thoughts on whether celebrities should be held to the same standards as everyone else in the comments.