Penn calls paper ‘lamebrain’ over Chavez piece

Actor, part-time writer responds to humor article in San Francisco Chronicle

Carolyn Kaster / AP file	Actor and director Sean Penn’s Penn’s past writings for the San Francisco Chronicle included a five-part series in 2005 about his experiences in Iran.

Celebrity video

Polanski under house arrest
Dec. 5: Director Roman Polanski is now under house arrest at his home in the Swiss Alps. NBC's Mike Taibbi reports.

The Scoop: Tiger's troubles

Polanski under house arrest

Stars ‘Tweet’ about Tiger

Polanski begins house arrest

Stage star Chenoweth on new gig

Slideshow

Best and worst celebrity fashions of 2009
From glamorous gowns to stylish suits to complete fashion failures, a look at the year so far.

more photos

updated 12:12 p.m. ET Jan. 16, 2008

SAN FRANCISCO - Sean Penn’s days of writing for the San Francisco Chronicle may be over: The actor now calls the publication an “increasingly lamebrain paper.”

Penn offered the critique in a letter published Tuesday, written in response to a tongue-in-cheek article that focused on celebrity interest in Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. It listed a number of potential matchups between celebrities and dictators or other authoritarian figures.

Penn objected to the characterization, saying Chavez is a democratically elected leader.

Story continues below ↓

advertisement | your ad here

Chronicle Editor Phil Bronstein took the criticism in stride, calling Penn, “a great actor and a great director.”

“People get riled up about a lot of things, particularly in this day and age; they get to express themselves. We were more than happy to print his letter,” Bronstein said.

Slideshow
Celebrity sightings
Meg Ryan and Cheryl Hines get “Serious,” Paris Hilton plays Santa, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie take Maddox to the movies and more.
more photos
A call to Penn’s publicist was not immediately returned.

Penn’s past writings for the paper included a five-part series in 2005 about his experiences in Iran.

The 47-year-old actor won an Oscar for his role in 2003’s “Mystic River.” His screen credits also include “I Am Sam,” “Sweet and Lowdown” and “Dead Man Walking.”