Sean Penn wanted to name son ‘Steak’

During Sean Penn’s marriage to Robin Wright, he had tried to persuade her to name their son, Hopper, something drastically different. The now-22-year-old son was almost named Steak due to Penn’s love of the meat. Needless to say, Wright refused to give their child such a name.

While talking with Interview magazine, Hopper said, “My dad wanted to name me Steak, the food, because he loves it so much, but my mom was never going to go for it. What they told me is that I hopped in her stomach, I didn’t kick, so they went with that.” Wright settled for another choice, naming their son after Penn’s idol, actor Dennis Hopper.

“[My name] has to do with Dennis Hopper; my dad was friendly with him and idolized him,” the young man continued.

He has also revealed to have no interest in becoming an actor, despite having rather famous parents who have both won awards and praise for their many roles.

Penn encouraged his son to appear in the last film he directed, The Last Face, starring Javier Badem and Charlize Theron.

“Two and a half years ago, my dad was working on his movie called The Last Face, and I asked if I could PA for it. He said, ‘No, you’re going to act in it.’ I said no, because I’m very shy; I didn’t know how to act.” However, the one-time actor ultimately jumped on the opportunity after finding out he would earn a paycheck for the gig.