Sean Penn (above with Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez) has been enjoying popularity with the gay press because of his sensitive movie "Milk" in which he plays gay activist Harvey Milk. But the biggest gay publication of all - The Advocate - has come out AGAINST Sean now! They can't reconcile the fact that Sean openly admires Hugo Chavez and Raul Castro - dictators noted for persecution of gays (and others.) Fidel and Raul Castro put gays in concentration camps! The advocate points out that Sean Penn's idea of political heroes completely conflicts with the free-speech message of his movie "Milk." Good observation.

Photo Credit: Splash News

This is Hollywood and that guy lounging on the stairs in front of the Sunset Tower Hotel in West Hollywood is Sean Penn. Is he musing his probable Oscar nomination for Milk, or contemplating that movie deal he discussed with Lindsay Lohan?

Last week the Screen Actors Guild sent out ballots to members asking them to vote for or against an actor's strike. Days later every member got a phone call with a recorded message from -of all people- Sean Penn encouraging members to vote in favor of the strike, no matter what their current economic situation. The call was enough to make this guild member seize her ballot, vote for NO strike, and mail it immediately. Maybe he's not the right person to be attempting to sway votes.

We can't say that we're surprised that Sean Penn and Robin Wright Penn are divorcing. As we pointed out weeks ago, Robin showed up to support Sean at the premier of his movie Into The Wild but Sean did NOT accompany her to the premier of her film Beowulf. Years ago, when angry Sean moved his family to Northern California it did nothing to help his beautiful wife's career, but of course, he was free to be wherever he needed to be for HIS career. Sean Penn seems like a guy who forgets to be grateful for all he's got. Incidentally, Sean's bad behavior is described in detail in a recent Whodunit on this site and many readers guessed his identity.

We've always been fascinated by Sean Penn's marriage to Robin Wright Penn. Despite being an accomplished actor, Sean still seems to be an angry and ungrateful person. Not to mention a know-it-all. Lovely Robin (who sometimes reminds us of Grace Kelly) seems like a beautiful prize that Sean is VERY lucky to have gotten, and their marriage has lasted 11 years. We can only IMAGINE what Robin goes through. Recently Robin was at Sean's side on the red carpet at the premier of his directorial effort Into the Wild. Sean ignored the cameras and when Robin paused to smile for photos, he yanked her inside the theater. Weeks later, Robin walked the red carpet alone (where 's the supportive husband?) at the premier of HER film Beowulf and she happily smiled and posed for the press. A photographer said "You're SO much nicer when you leave that husband at home!" Robin couldn't help but laugh.