David Marchese

Who or what compelled that feeling in you, that you didn't just want to give money or watch from the sideline, that you wanted to be there on the ground?

You can't just say George.

You know what name you didn't mention in that list of influences you just gave was...

was your father, my hunch, this is just my psychoanalysis from afar, is that some part of your desire and maybe even need to try and participate in the world and do good in the world comes from wanting to live up to the ideal of your father who stood up to the Hollywood blacklist and on top of that was a sort of heroic fighter pilot in the Second World War.

you know, we talked about how in the relatively recent past, you know, you struggled with motivation about acting.

And I know also that, you know, it's, again, something that came up in the conversation, but I know also that you can feel a lot of anger at the world.

So what gets you up in the morning these days?

I was going to say, why stop now?

Sean, thanks for taking all the time to talk with me.

I appreciate it.

I'll catch up with you for a green juice someday.

That's Sean Penn.

His new movie, One Battle After Another, is in theaters now.

This conversation was produced by Wyatt Orme and Seth Kelly.

It was edited by Annabelle Bacon.

Mixing by Sonia Herrero.

Original music by Pat McCusker and Marion Lozano.

Photography by Devin Yalkin.

Our senior booker is Priya Matthew, and Paola Newdorf is our senior video journalist.

Our executive producer is Alison Benedict.