Sean Penn smoking Golden Globes controversy erupted Sunday night when the actor, 65, was seen lighting a cigarette inside The Beverly Hilton ballroom, unfazed by the star-studded audience at the 2026 Golden Globes. The incident drew immediate attention both online and within the crowded venue as Penn’s actions defied venue norms and sparked a lively debate about celebrity culture.
Penn’s Candid Moment Captured on Social Media
Penn’s cigarette break became the talk of the night after a photo was shared by the Cigfluencers Instagram account, who highlighted the actor caught mid-puff inside the glitzy ballroom. The post quickly circulated, featuring a snapshot where Kate Hudson was interacting with Leonardo DiCaprio—Penn’s One Battle After Another co-star—while Penn kept to himself, focused on his smoke. Hannah Einbinder of Hacks, present at the HBO table nearby, added her own eyewitness account affirming the authenticity of the moment.
The buzz grew louder when Wall Street Journal journalist Ben Fritz posted, “This can’t be legal. pic.twitter.com/hBp0D7O6jt”—Ben Fritz (@benfritz) January 12, 2026. The unusual sight of smoking indoors at such a prestigious event was soon trending across multiple platforms, adding to the evening’s memorable moments.
Nikki Glaser’s Jokes Set the Stage
Before the cigarette incident, Sean Penn was already in the spotlight thanks to Golden Globes host Nikki Glaser, who didn’t hold back in her opening monologue.
“Sean Penn is also here, Colonel Lockjaw himself,”
Nikki Glaser, Host
Glaser playfully referenced Penn’s character from One Battle After Another, adding further:
“You’re the best. One of my favorite characters of all time. You’re such an original.”
Nikki Glaser, Host
Continuing her energetic roast, Glaser joked:
“Everyone in this town is obsessed with looking younger. Meanwhile, Sean Penn is like what if I slowly morph into a sexy leather handbag. It’s hot. It’s good.”
Nikki Glaser, Host
She also highlighted Penn’s impressive humanitarian record, using her trademark comedic flair:
“I feel like a lot of actors talk the talk but Sean Penn will actually go to the places in the world that need help the most and he will do cocaine there, and I feel like we don’t celebrate that enough,”
Nikki Glaser, Host
She added a final quip with mock permission from some infamous names:
“Sean, I did get permission to tell that joke from your two best friends, Charlie Sheen and El Chapo. So, they say hi. Blame it on them.”
Nikki Glaser, Host
Penn’s Habit in the Public Eye
The interest in Sean Penn’s behavior at the Golden Globes had already been piqued days earlier. In a W Magazine interview posted just before the awards night, Penn openly discussed his longtime relationship with smoking.
“Find something you love and let it kill you,”
Sean Penn, Actor
He clarified the quote’s origin and expanded on the theme:
“That’s not me, that’s [novelist Charles] Bukowski. That’s another mantra that gets rid of stress. Without stress, you can’t get cancer.”
Sean Penn, Actor
Penn continued reflecting on the interplay between risk and stress in life, saying:
“It’s like nitro and glycerin, the stress and the carcinogen. We’ll put heart disease on the shelf for now.”
Sean Penn, Actor
Later in the interview, Penn revealed how he first picked up the habit:
“I was doing a lot of theater, and sometimes in class scenes, things like that,”
Sean Penn, Actor
He described his initial belief that addiction wouldn’t catch up to him:
“I saw myself as an unaddictable person. Somerset Maugham has a quote, ‘Men are vain, particularly young men.’ So that was my vain arrogance in thinking that.”
Sean Penn, Actor
Penn concluded his reflection on smoking with characteristic candor:
“I don’t try to quit anymore, I love it. I don’t recommend it for anybody, but it’s — I love it.”
Sean Penn, Actor
Star Power, Public Reactions, and Cultural Impact
Throughout the evening, Sean Penn’s presence loomed large. His reactions to Glaser’s comedic barbs—laughing along even as fellow actors like Leonardo DiCaprio watched for his cue—demonstrated Penn’s comfort at the center of attention, both for his achievements and his quirks.
The event’s audience, which included notable figures like Jean Smart, Kate Hudson, and Hannah Einbinder, as well as industry insiders from HBO and the Wall Street Journal, further fueled discussion about Penn and his legendary status among Hollywood’s elite. Glaser’s mix of playful teasing and genuine praise, referencing both Penn’s career and his humanitarian efforts around the world, reminded everyone of Penn’s complex persona—a blend of passionate actor, aging icon, and persistent nonconformist.
The 2026 Golden Globes will undoubtedly be remembered not only for its awards but also for the energetic way stars like Sean Penn challenged norms and sparked debate. Whether his unapologetic approach becomes a conversation starter or simply a quirky memory, the moment captured the enduring intrigue and unpredictability of live events in modern celebrity culture.
This can’t be legal. pic.twitter.com/hBp0D7O6jt
— Ben Fritz (@benfritz) January 12, 2026
