Sean Penn Breaks the Rules, Smokes Inside During Golden Globes
Sean Penn definitely knows how to make an entrance, and apparently, an exit that includes a cloud of smoke. The two-time Oscar winner made waves at the 2026 Golden Globe Awards when he was seen smoking a cigarette right at his table during the live broadcast.
This happened during the Sunday, Jan. 11 ceremony held at the iconic Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. Penn was in attendance as a nominee for his supporting role in the Paul Thomas Anderson film One Battle After Another.
Good for Sean Penn sitting in the smoking section at the #GoldenGlobes2026 . https://t.co/xDpnphqsrd pic.twitter.com/VbxnfIi17E
— VapingIT, SPE, EEI (@Vapingit) January 12, 2026
He was seated at a high-profile table that also featured his costar Leonardo DiCaprio and actress Kate Hudson. Ben Fritz, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, shared a photo to X that appeared to show Penn inhaling from a cigarette during the night.
Fritz added a caption that summed up the confusion of many onlookers, noting that the move did not seem legal under California’s strict indoor smoking laws. The image quickly went viral as fans debated whether Penn was receiving special treatment or simply did not care about the venue rules.
Vanity Fair added to the reports, stating a director in attendance saw Penn light up right at his table inside the theater. While others at the ceremony headed to designated outdoor areas to smoke, Penn seemingly chose to stay seated and light up indoors.
The moment also caught the attention of the Instagram account @cigfluencers, which shared the image to its followers. Hacks star Hannah Einbinder, who was also nominated that night, confirmed the story in the comments by saying she saw it with her own eyes.
Despite the controversy, it was a massive night for the film One Battle After Another. The movie walked away with five awards in total, including the prestigious Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy trophy.
Penn himself was nominated for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role for his portrayal of a maniacal military officer. While he did not take home the prize, the category was incredibly competitive this year.
The supporting actor award instead went to Stellan Skarsgård for his role in Sentimental Value. Penn was nominated alongside his costar Benicio del Toro, as well as Jacob Elordi, Paul Mescal, and Adam Sandler.
This is not the first time Penn has caused a stir by lighting up on live television. Back in 2018, he famously smoked two cigarettes during an interview with Stephen Colbert on The Late Show.
During that appearance, he admitted to being under the influence of the sedative Ambien after a long flight. Fans on social media were just as bewildered then as they are now by his willingness to ignore standard broadcast norms.
If you are looking for more of Penn this awards season, you will not have to wait long. He is scheduled to appear at the Actor Awards on March 1, where he is once again nominated in the supporting actor category.
In that race, he will face off against familiar names like Miles Caton, Benicio del Toro, Jacob Elordi, and Paul Mescal. It remains to be seen if he will bring his signature cigarettes to that ceremony as well.
For those curious about the film that brought him back to the spotlight, One Battle After Another is an epic political thriller. It marks Penn’s second collaboration with director Paul Thomas Anderson, following their work on Licorice Pizza.
The story is loosely based on the Thomas Pynchon novel Vineland. It follows an ex-revolutionary played by Leonardo DiCaprio who is forced to rescue his daughter from a corrupt military regime.
Penn plays the primary antagonist, Colonel Steven J. Lockjaw. Critics have praised his performance, noting that he seems to have rediscovered his passion for the craft through this project.
The film features a massive ensemble cast including Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, and newcomer Chase Infiniti. Teyana Taylor notably won a Golden Globe for her performance as Perfidia Beverly Hills in the movie.
While the film received universal acclaim from critics, it has had a mixed road at the box office. Some reports suggest it struggled to meet its high break-even point despite the massive star power attached.
Penn has recently been vocal about his career trajectory and his history with the industry. He mentioned in a recent interview that working with Anderson helped him move past a period of deep disillusionment with acting.
However, he might be stepping away from the camera again soon to focus on his work as a director. He is reportedly planning to lead an untitled feature film that will begin shooting in the summer of 2026.
That project is set to star Tom Hardy in the lead role and will be Penn’s fifth major directorial effort. He has previously directed well-regarded films such as Into the Wild and The Pledge.
Fans are hopeful that this new collaboration with Hardy will return Penn to the critical success of his earlier work behind the lens. Until then, he remains one of Hollywood’s most unpredictable and discussed figures.
Whether he is winning awards or lighting up indoors, he certainly knows how to keep the public talking. What do you think about Sean Penn’s decision to smoke inside the Beverly Hilton during the ceremony? Share your thoughts in the comments.