Cause of Actor Chris Penn's Death Unknown
Posted on: Wednesday, 25 January 2006, 21:00 CST
By SANDY COHEN
LOS ANGELES - The cause of actor Chris Penn's death remained undetermined despite an autopsy performed Wednesday just hours before the premiere of his latest film at the Sundance Film Festival.
Toxicology tests were ordered by the Los Angeles County coroner's office.
"It's just normal procedure for someone who's 40 and has not seen their doctor," said coroner's spokeswoman Brenda Shafer.
A "full blood panel" will be performed on the actor, who was found dead in his Santa Monica condominium Tuesday.
In a coincidence, Penn's latest film, "The Darwin Awards," premiered later in the day at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.
"He gave an incredible performance in the film," writer-director Finn Taylor said before the screening. "I think he is going to be remembered for years to come and we will miss him."
Penn appears with an ensemble case including Winona Ryder, Joseph Fiennes, David Arquette and Juliette Lewis in the twisted comedy about accidental death.
The younger brother of Academy Award-winning actor Sean Penn and musician Michael Penn, Chris Penn appeared in numerous films, including "Reservoir Dogs,""Starsky & Hutch,""Rush Hour" and "Corky Romano."
"Corky" star Chris Kattan described Penn's death as "a huge shock."
"He was an amazing actor and a great comedian," Kattan said. "He was such a sweet soul and so funny. He had a really great innocence in his eyes. Of course he'll be terribly missed."
Sean Penn's publicist, Mara Buxbaum, issued a statement Tuesday saying the Penn family "would appreciate the media's respect of their privacy during this difficult time." She released no further comment.
Penn's agent, Cary Berman of the William Morris Agency, referred calls to Buxbaum. Penn's manager, Jonathan Brandstein, did not return a call for comment.
---
AP Movie Writer David Germain in Park City, Utah, contributed to this report.
Source: Associated Press/AP Online
Related Articles
- Television and Film Actor Thom Gossom, Jr. To Sign Memoir 'Walk-On' at Borders in Westwood Oct. 16
- Television and Film Actor Thom Gossom, Jr. To Sign Memoir 'Walk-On' at Borders in Marietta, GA
- Egyptian Film Actor Calls for National Unity, Changing Muslim Religious Rhetoric
- BRIEF: Heath Ledger Doctors Cleared: Doctors Didn't Prescribe Painkillers That Caused Actor's Death
- Actor's Death Ruled an Accidental Overdose
- Actor Heath Ledger Dead at 28
- Health Alert is Issued at Penn: After a Student's Death From Meningitis, Health Officials Yesterday Called for Those in Close Contact to Get Treated
- Police Investigate Hospital Hanging Staff May Be Charged Over Actor's Death
- Actor suspected in NY police shooting
- TELEVISION; Almost-Famous Film Actor Lee Making His `Name' on NBC Sitcom
User Comments (0)
RSS Feeds