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Actor, Writer, and Director Sean Penn

The "reluctant actor" starred in the film "Dead Man Walking" directed by Tim Robbins, co-starring Susan Sarandon. Penn has moved away from acting in favor of directing and writing: the 1991 film "The Indian Runner" which he wrote based on a Bruce Springsteen song, and last year's "The Crossing Guard" starring Angelica Huston and Jack Nicholson. All three films are out in video. (Rebroadcast originally aired 1/16/96).

08:53
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Other segments from the episode on August 2, 1996

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, August 2, 1996: Interview with Edward Bunker; Interview with Charles Dutton; Interview with Sean Penn; Review of the film "Manny and Lo."
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21:39

Ex-Con Edward Bunker's Literary Career

Bunker's book "Dog Eat Dog" comes out August 13. Bunker also wrote the crime fiction classic "No Beast So Fierce," which first came out in 1973, about a former criminal trying to go straight. It was the basis of the film Straight Time, which starred Dustin Hoffman. Bunker spent almost 20 years in jail himself, and used his experiences as the basis of his book. He's also written 2 other novels, many essays, and screenplays for Straight Time and The Runaway Train. (Re-broadcast, originally aired JULY 12, 1993)

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52:04

A Kidnapping Survivor on "Forgiving" Her Captors

In 1980, Debbie Morris was a 16 year-old high school junior who was kidnapped, raped, and beaten by Robert Lee Willie. Willie's story was portrayed by Sean Penn in the film "Dead Man Walking." She has written about her life in "Forgiving the Dead Man Walking." (Zondervan)

Interview
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47:26

Actor, Director, and Writer Sean Penn.

Actor/director/writer Sean Penn. The "reluctant actor" is starring in the new film "Dead Man Walking" directed by Tim Robbins, co-starring Susan Sarandon. (It's based on the book, of the same title, by Sister Helen Prejean). Penn has moved away from acting in favor of writing/directing: the 1991 film "The Indian Runner" which he wrote based on a Bruce Springsteen song, and last year's "The Crossing Guard" starring Angelica Huston and Jack Nicholson.

Interview

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