At 63, Sean Penn looks “gaunt” and unrecognizable during stroll

It should come as no surprise that our favorite celebrities age and grow old at the same rate the rest of us do.

And yet, for some reason, it shocks us when we see a famous actor or singer beginning to show their years. Sure, the majority of A-listers can mask the process of aging through expensive creams and ill-advised surgeries, but there will come a day when they simply have to accept the inevitable process that comes with being mortal.

Perhaps what makes it so interesting to the rest of us is that we get to watch celebrities getting older in real time, this in spite of not actually knowing them. Through their various work and the constant flashing of papparazzi lenses, we follow their lives like they were members of our own family.

Which is why a stir is caused whenever a major star steps out with a completely different look. Take Sean Penn, for example, who was recently spotted out and about with bright white hair that left him almost unrecognizable.

As per reports, the film star, now 63, was sighted in Malibu with a packet of cigarettes in hand, wearing a white shirt, joggers, and comfy trainers.

Penn made his acting debut all the way back in 1981’s Taps. Following that his career went from strength to strength, culminating in the actor taking home two Oscars for his roles in Mystic River (2003) and Milk (2008).

Penn made up one half of a high-profile marriage with Madonna in the ’80s, though their tumultuous union eventually ended in divorce.

Just last year, writer Mary Gabriel made a series of claims about the marriage in her biography, describing how Madonna wanted a “marriage of equals” while Sean desired more traditional gender roles.

In an extract published in the Sunday Times, Mary wrote that by the end of their marriage, the circumstances surrounding Penn and Madonna had changed.

“In the three years since they [Madonna and Sean] had met she had gone from being an up-and-coming pop star to being the wealthiest female entertainer in the world,” she wrote.

“Their expectations for their relationship had also diverged. She wanted a marriage of equals. He had a strong streak of traditionalism that required him to be the ‘man’.”

As for the couple’s divorce and the years that followed, the writer claimed: “Years later both took responsibility for the marriage’s demise. Penn described himself as an angry young man during that period and admitted he was hard to live with. For her part, Madonna said she hadn’t been ready to be married.”

What do you think to Penn’s new look? Let us know in the comments.