Sean Penn is living in the ‘90s.
After all, the One Battle After Another star was caught lighting up a cigarette at his Golden Globes 2026 table, where he sat alongside his costars Leonardo DiCaprio, Chase Infiniti and Teyana Taylor—who took home a trophy for Best Supporting Actress.
As a Wall Street Journal reporter inside the Beverly Hilton Jan. 11 captioned the shot in a post on X, “This can’t be legal,” (The state of California has prohibited smoking indoors since 1995.)
Meanwhile, Vanity Fair also reported that a director said Penn—who shares kids Dylan, 34, and Hopper, 32, with ex Robin Wright—had lit up at his table as other guests at the party were looking for a place to smoke outside the venue.
E! News reached out to reps for Penn but has not yet heard back.
For the 65-year-old, smoking inside wasn’t the only head-turning moment at the Golden Globes. In Nikki Glaser’s opening monologue, she joked that he wasn’t keeping up with the Hollywood beauty trends.
“Everyone in this town is obsessed with looking younger, but Sean Penn is like, 'What if I slowly morph into a sexy leather handbag?’” Glaser joked. “It's hot. It's good.”
The comedian went on to joke about the Mystic River alum’s dedication to being a "devoted humanitarian.”
“I feel like a lot of actors talk the talk,” she continued, “but Sean Penn will actually go to the places in the world that need help the most and he will do cocaine there.”
Of course, Penn wasn’t the only subject of Glaser’s teasing. DiCaprio also received a jab for his relationship with 27-year-old Vittoria Ceretti.
“What a career you've had,” she told the 51-year-old. “I mean, countless iconic performances, you've worked with every great director. You've won three Golden Globes, an Oscar. And the most impressive thing is that you were able to accomplish all of that before your girlfriend turned 30.”
As she jokingly emphasized, “I mean, it's just insane."
For more moments you might have missed at the 2026 Golden Globes, keep reading…
Leonardo DiCaprio, Owen Cooper
Is there any star in Hollywood who has not been excited to meet the Adolescence newcomer, a winner for Best Supporting Male Actor in a TV Series?
No, there is not.
Teyana Taylor, Ariana Grande
Teyana was just a tad more popular than Ariana at the 2026 Golden Globes, toppling the Wicked: For Good star in the Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture category with her fierce performance in One Battle After Another.
Kylie Jenner, Timothée Chalamet
Longtime, first time: Kylie and Timothée have attended the Golden Globes three years in a row but 2026 marked his first win in her presence, Best Lead Actor in a Motion Picture, Comedy/Musical for Marty Supreme.
Jacob Elordi, Ana de Armas
Elordi was 0-for-2 at the Globes, but got to share a refreshingly light moment with his Deep Water costar.
Julia Roberts, George Clooney
We know the king and queen of Hollywood are happily married to other people, but they make a handsome couple of figureheads.
Miles Caton, Kevin Hart, Seth Rogen, Michael B. Jordan
Now this is some studio power right here.
Orlando Bloom
Did the Hollywood Foreign Press Association add a Coolest Guy in the Room category this year? We missed the memo, but spied the winner.
Leonardo DiCaprio, Julia Roberts
Leo must be telling Julia—who got nothing less than a standing ovation when she came out to present the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture, Musical/Comedy to One Battle After Another—the most insidery of inside-Hollywood jokes. Because they are the inner circle.
Rei Ami, Audrey Nuna, EJAE, Marlon Wayans
Marlon shared a golden moment with Kpop Demon Hunters' star voice artists.
Kristen Bell, Jon M. Chu
"Yes, yes I will star in your next musical," Kristen must have told the Wicked: For Good director, right?
Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco, Martin Short, Steve Martin
It was only besties at the table when Steve captured this Kodak moment with his Only Murders in the Building costars (and Selena's husband Benny).
Patrick Schwarzenegger, Parker Posey
No lorazepam was needed for this White Lotus reunion.
Jennifer Lawrence, Kylie Jenner
Sometimes, when your partner is in the bathroom or maybe winning an award, your family's biggest fan drops by to say hello.
Eva Victor, Jessie Buckley
The Sorry, Baby director-star kvelled over the Hamnet actress before Jessie won for Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama.
Noah Wyle, Sara Wells
After adding a Best Actor in a Drama Series Golden Globe to his current trophy haul, the star of The Pitt still can't believe he's been the recipient of so much good fortune for being a better doctor than Clooney.
Teyana Taylor
Teyana was feeling sweet, sweet emotion after her surprise win for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture.
Justin Hartley, Sterling K. Brown
Justin must have been tracking Sterling's healing progress, four months after his This Is Us costar appeared at the Emmys nursing a leg injury.
Kate Hudson, Jennifer Lopez
Just a couple of goddesses wishing each other well.