DeepSummary
In this episode, David Duchovny interviews actor Sean Penn about his career and life experiences. They discuss Penn's childhood in Malibu and how it influenced his iconic role as Jeff Spicoli in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Penn talks about studying with acting coach Peggy Fury and how she taught him to build characters beyond just natural performances. They also delve into Penn's relationships with legendary actors and directors like Marlon Brando, Robert De Niro, and Martin Scorsese, and how they shaped his approach to acting and filmmaking.
Penn shares his perspective on failure and success in the creative process, emphasizing the importance of remaining open and humble. He describes his experience directing movies like Into the Wild and collaborating with actors during the editing process. The conversation touches on topics like reputation, shame, and the challenges of balancing privacy with being a public figure.
Throughout the interview, Penn's ethos as an artist emerges, characterized by a commitment to authenticity, a willingness to learn and evolve, and a desire to create work that transcends mere entertainment. His insights offer a masterclass in the pursuit of being a better creator and human being.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Sean Penn's childhood experiences in Malibu, including his father's work as a director and his brother's involvement in filmmaking, played a significant role in shaping his love for acting.
- Studying with acting coach Peggy Fury was formative for Penn, teaching him to build characters beyond just natural performances.
- Penn's relationships with legendary artists like Marlon Brando, Robert De Niro, and Martin Scorsese influenced his approach to acting and filmmaking.
- Penn emphasizes the importance of remaining open and humble in the creative process, embracing a willingness to learn and evolve.
- The tension between public exposure and preserving the mystery necessary for acting is a constant challenge for Penn.
- Penn's ethos as an artist is characterized by a commitment to authenticity and a desire to create work that transcends mere entertainment.
- Penn's perspective on reputation has evolved with the rise of social media and constant public scrutiny.
- Penn's relentless pursuit of growth as an artist and human being is a central theme throughout the conversation.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “I remember, you know, like, in terms of work, when I go. Cause we're gonna move to, like, what? How we gauge success with something. Then from a very early age, I never liked too much when I had a dictated chore. But when I noticed a certain part of the yard that would feel better, more squared away. I could be on my hands and knees for 10 hours, getting every stray pebble out of there and getting that dirt swept under those trees. And this always gave me a great feeling of accomplishment when things were squared away.“ by Sean Penn
- “And it was literally upon graduation that I realized I had not paid any attention to the notion that your grades would matter to get you into higher education and ultimately law school. And there was no part of my body that was ready to go voluntarily back to school after that, after graduation.“ by Sean Penn
- “And I think talking about reputation and taking care of one's reputation is a different thing today than it was 15 years ago.“ by Sean Penn
Entities
Company
Person
Movie
Product
Episode Information
Fail Better with David Duchovny
Lemonada Media
6/18/24
There are few actors left who embody the ethos of old Hollywood. Sean Penn is one of them. We got together at his place for a face-to-face exploration of Sean’s life and career. We discussed how his childhood in Malibu helped him create the iconic Jeff Spicoli, and how his first acting coach still shapes him today. We speak of his friends — Brando, DeNiro, and Scorsese — legends whose reputations, work ethic, and willingness to keep learning shaped their characters and their lives. Spending an hour in his presence is a masterclass in the pursuit of being a better creator, and a better human.
Follow me on Instagram at @davidduchovny. Stay up to date with Lemonada on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia.
Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium. And if you want to continue the conversation with other listeners, join the My Lemonada community at https://lemonadamedia.com/mylemonada/
For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.