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Eileen Ryan (1927–2022), actress and mother of Sean Penn

by Kirk Fox

Eileen Ryan was an actress who appeared on “The Twilight Zone” and “Little House on the Prairie,” and who was the mother of actor Sean Penn.

Acting Career  

Eileen Ryan (born Eileen Annucci) appeared on Broadway in 1953 in “Sing Till Tomorrow” and then mostly appeared on television. She guest starred on a first season episode of “The Twilight Zone,” and guest starred on “Bonanza,” “Ben Casey,” and “Little House on the Prairie.” She married actor and director Leo Penn in 1957 and they remained together until his passing in 1998. They had three sons, actors Sean and Chris, and musician Michael Penn. She appeared with Sean and Chris in the films “At Close Range” and “The Crossing Guard.”  

Tributes to Eileen Ryan  

Full Obituary: The Hollywood Reporter

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