Last Updated:January 13, 2026, 00:28 IST

Sean Penn shocks Golden Globes 2026 attendees after being spotted smoking indoors at his table during the ceremony.

Sean Penn attends the Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.

Sean Penn raised eyebrows and sparked widespread chatter after he was spotted smoking a cigarette inside the venue during the Golden Globe Awards. The unexpected moment unfolded at the star-studded ceremony held on Sunday, January 11, at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, leaving fellow attendees and viewers equally shocked.

Penn, who was nominated for his role in One Battle After Another, appeared unfazed as he lit up while seated at his table inside the venue. The actor was attending the awards alongside his co-stars, including Leonardo DiCaprio, when the moment was captured on camera and quickly circulated online.

Wall Street Journal reporter Ben Fritz was among the first to draw attention to the incident, sharing a photograph of Penn appearing to inhale from a cigarette while seated at his table. In the image, Penn can be seen as DiCaprio, 51, and Kate Hudson chatted nearby. Reacting to the scene, Fritz wrote on X, “This can’t be legal.”

The image soon gained traction across social media platforms, prompting questions about indoor smoking regulations and the apparent exception made at the high-profile event.

‘He Just Lit Up Inside the Theater,’ Witnesses Claim

As the moment gained momentum online, Vanity Fair reported that a director attending the ceremony told one of its reporters that Penn had “just lit up inside the theater, right at his table,” even as other attendees stepped outside the venue to smoke during breaks.

The photograph was later reshared by Instagram account @cigfluencers, which posted the image with the caption, “Sean Penn smoking INSIDE the Golden Globes venue!? Incredible stuff happening here.” The post drew reactions from fans and industry insiders alike.

Adding further credibility to the claims, Hacks star Hannah Einbinder, who was nominated once again at the Globes for her performance, commented on the Instagram post, writing, “saw with own eyes.” Her response fueled even more discussion, with many users expressing disbelief that such an act occurred during a live awards show.

Despite the controversy surrounding the incident, Penn’s night at the Golden Globes was otherwise eventful. His film One Battle After Another emerged as one of the evening’s biggest winners, taking home five awards in total, including

Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.

Penn himself was nominated for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture. However, the award ultimately went to Stellan Skarsgård for his role in Sentimental Value. Other nominees in the category included Penn’s co-star Benicio del Toro, as well as Jacob Elordi (Frankenstein), Paul Mescal (Hamnet) and Adam Sandler (Jay Kelly).

This is not the first time Penn has courted controversy for smoking indoors during televised appearances. In 2018, the actor famously smoked two cigarettes during an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, a moment that left viewers stunned and sparked heated reactions across social media at the time.