Chris Penn, also dead at 40...

[daisypukes]

You may remember him from Reservoir Dogs.

Actor Chris Penn, the younger brother of Sean Penn, was found dead at his home yesterday (Jan 24) in the Santa Monica area. He was 40.

Police were called to the actor's condo by an unnamed source and when they responded, his body was found inside.

At this point, the police do not suspect foul play, but an autopsy has been ordered to find out the cause of death.

As an actor, he amassed quite a body of work in films such as "Footloose," "Rush Hour" and "Starsky and Hutch." He's also appeared in several television guest spots, including roles on "Entourage" and "Will & Grace." But quite possibly his most popular role with fans was as Nice Guy Eddie Cabot in Quentin Tarantino's "Reservoir Dogs."

Penn's current film, "The Darwin Awards" was set to premier at the Sundance Festival this week. He also had two other films in post-production, "King of Sorrow" and "Aftermath."

Through his publicist, his brother Sean issued a statement that "the Penn family would appreciate the media's respect of their privacy during this difficult time."


Our condolences go out to the Penn family.

www.bellaonline.com/articles/art39878.asp

I'm sure I'm not alone in this, but will probably be the only one to admit it: I find celebrities a lot more interesting after they've kicked the bucket.

[daisypukes]

Last month, actor Chris Penn, the younger brother of Sean Penn, was found dead at his home in the Santa Monica area (read the story).

At the time no cause could be listed, and it was all purely speculation as to what actually happened. Police did not suspect foul play, and the initial autopsy listed his official cause of death as an enlarged heart.

This week, the newly-released toxicology reports shed more light on Penn's passing.

At the time of his death, it appears there were several chemical substances in his system, both legal and not. Reports show he had traces of morphine, Valium, Promethazine (an antihistamine) and marijuana present, as well as an substantial presence of codiene.

This chemical cocktail, along with health problems the actor was already suffering, are what lead to what authorities are ruling an accidental death.

At his passing, Penn weighed over 300 pounds, and already had heart-related problems that were threatening his life. It is speculated the addition of the drugs in his body were just too much for his bad heart to take.

The original cause of death, the enlarged heart, will remain on record.

www.bellaonline.com/articles/art40917.asp

[long]

That was 2 years ago!

Hmm, people are more interesting alive in my estimation. I find them most interesting when they're saying and doing things. There sure are a hell of a lot dead celebs..

[daisypukes]

^Yeah, I know it was a while ago, but I only heard about it a couple months ago so it's still fresh to me.

[long]

You were a big fan? Or you've only begun to appreciate what you had now that he's gone?

[daisypukes]

^I was a fan, kind of. I always found him really disgusting, but then I was meant to: his roles were usually "the really disgusting fat guy with no morals." He was a pretty good character actor and I liked some movies he was in. He was great in "The Funeral." Grossed the hell out of me in that one.