Hollywood’s perennial rebel Sean Penn secures a historic third Oscar for his supporting role, joining an elite group of actors with the achievement.

HOLLYWOOD: Sean Penn cemented his legendary status by winning his third Academy Award on Sunday.

The actor, renowned for his powerful performances and disdain for Hollywood’s awards culture, was honoured with the best supporting actor Oscar for his role in ‘One Battle After Another’.

Penn did not attend the Oscars gala to collect the statuette.

He triumphed over fellow nominees Benicio Del Toro, Delroy Lindo, Jacob Elordi and Stellan Skarsgard.

His win makes him just the eighth performer in Oscars history to claim three acting awards.

He previously won best actor for ‘Mystic River’ in 2004 and for ‘Milk’ in 2009.

In the winning film, Penn portrays Colonel Steven Lockjaw, a rigid military officer.

The character mobilises an army to conceal a past indiscretion that threatens his political future.

The role stands in stark contrast to Penn’s real-life persona as a liberal activist.

His notable exploits include a secret 2015 interview with Mexican drug lord Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman.

He also befriended former Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez and gifted a previous Oscar to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Born in Los Angeles in 1960, Penn initially studied acting after abandoning plans to become a lawyer.

He gained early fame for his role in the 1982 teen film ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High’.

His 1985 marriage to pop icon Madonna propelled him to global celebrity.

The couple divorced in 1989 after a turbulent relationship.

Penn’s acting career flourished with starring roles in films like ‘Colors’ and ‘Casualties of War’.

He made his directorial debut in 1991 with the Vietnam War drama ‘The Indian Runner’.

Penn earned his first Oscar nomination for 1995’s ‘Dead Man Walking’.

Further nominations followed for ‘Sweet and Lowdown’ and ‘I Am Sam’.

Beyond acting, Penn has pursued significant humanitarian and activist work.

He orchestrated a 2013 operation to smuggle an American businessman out of Bolivia.

His disaster relief efforts include responses to Hurricane Katrina and the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

With this latest win, the 65-year-old joins an exclusive club of triple Oscar winners.

The group includes Daniel Day-Lewis, Jack Nicholson, Meryl Streep and Ingrid Bergman.

Penn has two children with his second ex-wife, actress Robin Wright.

 The Sun Malaysia