The Academy Award for Best Actor goes to Sean Penn for his moving performance as Harvey Milk in the film ‘Milk.’ See photos and video and read more below.
Penn earned a standing ovation from the Academy Award audience as his wife, Robin Wright Penn, tearfully looked on as he accepted his award.
“You commie, homo-loving sons of guns,” Penn began. “I did not expect this and I want it to be very clear that I do know how hard I make it to appreciate me often.”
Best Actor was a highly-competitive category since Penn was up against Mickey Rourke’s critically-acclaimed performance in ‘The Wrestler,’ and Brad Pitt’s performance in ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ among others.
Penn has won the Screen Actors Guild and Critics Choice awards for his performance as Harvey Milk, a camera store owner whose decision to campaign for a place on San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors becomes a landmark event within the gay rights movement. The 48 year-old actor deeply immersed himself for the part, which brought out a warmth and sweetness rarely seen throughout his career.
In wrapping up his speech, Penn mentioned the protesters near the Oscars holding anti-gay signs and said, “We’ve got to have equal rights for everyone.”
Photos: Wenn.com