Actor Chris Penn Found Dead

Actor Chris Penn Found Dead

January 24, 2006

ET has confirmed that actor CHRIS PENN, who is the younger brother of SEAN PENN and star of movies like 'Reservoir Dogs' and 'Starsky & Hutch,' has died. Investigators were on the scene Tuesday, where Penn was found dead in his residence in Santa Monica, CA. He was 40.

"The Penn family would appreciate the media's respect of their privacy during this difficult time," Sean's publicist said in a statement.

Cameras caught his mother EILEEN RYAN's arrival at the scene yesterday, and later actor and family friend MARTIN SHEEN helped her to a waiting SUV and drove her away. Chris had been one of CHARLIE SHEEN's friends who supported him during his drug problems and court appearances in 1998. Chris himself told ET that he had his own addiction problems.

"I was a drug addict and it was a tough time," he said. "I couldn't face my family -- I couldn't even face myself."

Chris said then he'd won his battle with drugs. "It taught me a lot and I'm over it and I'm clean," he said. "I don't look back with regret. I simply say that I learned from it and it was a mistake but I learned from it and I'm a better person today."

It is not known if drugs were involved in Penn's death. The Los Angeles County Coroner's office has said toxicology tests will be performed but the results will not be released for several weeks.

Penn played the role of Nice Guy Eddie in QUENTIN TARANTINO's 1992 cult hit 'Reservoir Dogs'; he also appeared in the movie 'Rush Hour' and on episodes of the television shows "Entourage" and "Everwood." His most recent film, 'The Darwin Awards,' is set to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival tonight.

Penn is survived by his mother and brothers Sean and MICHAEL