Penn defends time in Iraq
07/04/2005 - 16:13:24Screen star Sean Penn has hit back at those who criticised his trips to war-torn Iraq, labelling them "envious".
The Mystic River actor was prepared for a cynical backlash before even embarking on the trip because he recognises many of the people who attack celebrities for trying to make a difference politically are simply "failed actors" themselves.
He says: "It's interesting. I haven't broken this down but I would say that about half of the loudest talking heads are people who are on the record as failed actors, people who are envious.
"So I just feel you ignore them. I knew what it was going to be like before I went on that trip."
