Sean Penn's actor brother found dead

Actor Chris Penn, the brother of Sean Penn, has been found dead at a apartment complex near the beach in Santa Monica, California, police said today.

Police said they discovered the 40-year-old actor’s body at around 4pm yesterday local time. Lt Frank Fabrega said there were no obvious signs of foul play.

Sean Penn’s publicist, Mara Buxbaum, issued a statement saying “the Penn family would appreciate the media’s respect of their privacy during this difficult time”.

Chris Penn’s body was found inside the four-storey condominium complex after police were called by someone from within the building, Fabrega said.

His film credits included Mulholland Falls, Rumble Fish, All The Right Moves, Footloose and Rush Hour. He also played Nice Guy Eddie Cabot in the 1992 Quentin Tarantino crime drama Reservoir Dogs.

His late father Leo Penn directed television shows and his mother, Eileen Ryan, is an actress whose credits include I Am Sam, Magnolia and Parenthood. Another brother is musician Michael Penn.

Chris Penn’s latest film, The Darwin Awards, was due to premiere today at the Sundance Film Festival.