Hollywood veteran and Sean Penn’s devoted mother Eileen Ryan, dies age 94

Hollywood has been left grieving once again after celebrated actress and matriarch to the esteemed Penn family, Eileen Ryan, died at her home in Malibu on Sunday, October 9, aged 94.

Ryan’s death was announced by Sean Penn’s publicist and was later confirmed by his older brother Micheal, who shared the devastating news on Twitter. She died one week shy of her 95th birthday.

We lost mom yesterday ???? pic.twitter.com/r9XSKdEeE5

— Michael Penn (@MPenn) October 10, 2022

Prior to her death, Ryan boasted a prolific acting career that spanned decades with appearances on numerous TV shows such as Grey’s Anatomy, NYPD Blue, Little House on the Prairie, ER, and CSI. She even starred alongside her son, Sean, in well-known films  The Indian Runner, I am Sam, and All the King’s Men.

Ryan kickstarted her entertainment career in the 1950s in New York. It was during her rehearsal for the production 1957 of The Iceman Cometh that she met her late husband and fellow actor, Leo Penn. The two instantly fell in love and married just a few months after meeting. Their marriage lasted 41 years until Leo’s death in 1998. Ryan has remained widowed ever since.

While no additional information regarding Ryan’s death has been announced, fans have taken to Twitter to express their condolences to the Penn family.

RIP Actress Eileen Ryan (1927-2022) ,Mother of actor Sean Penn. pic.twitter.com/kWgKQTujzg

— Ricardo (@Dutchfan33) October 10, 2022

Rest in peace Eileen Ryan .you were a wonderful woman and actor and gave birth to gifted artists . Bless you.

— ✌????rosanna arquette (@RoArquette) October 10, 2022

Condolences to @SeanPenn on the passing of your Mom #EileenRyan

— Maria (@sistacole) October 10, 2022

My heart is with @SeanPenn tonight. Please be gentle with yourself in the coming days. Grief is different for everyone and I hope that you allow yourself to grieve at your own pace. May you know loving care throughout this process of letting go ???????????????????? #AllLove #BlessYou????

— Persnickety Pixie (@PersnicketyPix3) October 10, 2022

So sorry. Losing a parent is devastating no matter how old you are.

— Jean O’Brien (@czarina8662) October 11, 2022

So deeply sorry for your loss,she was a beautiful force of nature. May her memory be a blessing

— TitusWelliver (@welliver_titus) October 10, 2022

Ryan’s passing is no doubt a fresh new heartache for the surviving Penn brothers, who had previously lost their youngest sibling, Chris Penn, in 2006 after losing his battle with heart disease. He was 43.

Ryan is survived by her sons Michael and Sean, and grandchildren Dylan Penn and Hopper Penn.