ACTOR Chris Penn, brother of Sean Penn, was found dead on Tuesday at his condominium near the beach in Santa Monica.

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.

Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn and his family have been honoured AFI Associates of the American Film Institute for their "creative contributions" to the entertainment industry.

Sean Penn and his famous family are to be honoured as a group by the American Film (AFI) in October.