O'Reilly Boycotts Penn Films over Political Stance
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WENN.com
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Monday, March 30, 2009
Controversial TV pundit Bill O'Reilly has vowed to boycott Sean Penn's movies -- insisting he can't watch the actor's big-screen projects due to their conflicting political views.
The right-wing commentator, who fronts his own show The O'Reilly Factor on Fox News, is well-known for his criticisms of liberal celebrities, and has openly mocked left-wing stars Jessica Alba, George Clooney and Rosie O'Donnell.
Now, in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, O'Reilly has admitted he wouldn't pay money to see Oscar winner Penn's movies due to his involvement with controversial politicians, including Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez.
When asked by the publication if there are any actors whose political opinions disturb him so much he wouldn't see their films, he replied, "Just Sean Penn."
And when pushed on the response, O'Reilly explained, "He's a great actor, and if you hire him, you'll get a good performance.
"I'm just not going to give a guy who gives aid and comfort to people like (Iran president Mahmoud) Ahmadinejad, Hugo Chavez and Saddam Hussein, when he was alive, my 10 bucks. That's my right as an American."
In 2005, Penn visited Iran acting as a journalist on an assignment for the San Francisco Chronicle and has defended Venezuelan leader Chavez by claiming the U.S. was "becoming increasingly gullible to the demonizing of foreign states or leaders."
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