Sean Penn's Mother Eileen Ryan Cause of Death: Actress, 94, Dies at Malibu Home

By Alexandria Reeves

Actress Eileen Ryan, the mother of Sean Penn, has died. She was 94.

The Hollywood Reporter, PEOPLE, and more news outlets received the emailed statement from Ryan's family and publicist, saying that the actress died at her Malibu home on Sunday.

Ryan's eldest son, Michael, also shared the heartbreaking news through a Twitter post. He shared a photo of the matriarch alongside the caption, "We lost mom yesterday."

The statement did not disclose Eileen Ryan's cause of death, whether she died of a health issue or old age.

Her death came over a decade after her youngest son, Chris Penn, died in 2006. The actor suddenly died at the age of 40 after reportedly taking a prescribed cough syrup that led to a deadly heart condition.

At that time, the Los Angeles County coroner's office said he suffered nonspecific cardiomyopathy that left his heart enlarged and weak. The investigators also saw the multiple medications as contributing factors to his death, including Phenergan - a cough syrup with an antihistamine.

After Ryan's death, she and her family received heartwarming messages to people who extended their condolences amid the dark times.

The Women's Image Awards wrote, "RIP Sweet woman. You and your husband produced quite a talented troupe."

RIP actress Eileen Ryan

You might know her from The Twilight Zone marathons that air (that's how I remember her).

She was the widow of actor and director Leo Penn, and the mother of actor Sean Penn, singer Michael Penn and the late actor Chris Penn.https://t.co/tE4xclSFXH pic.twitter.com/YRuBo2EgQW
— The Goof™ (@MetsFanInPhilly) October 10, 2022

Eileen Ryan's Legacy

The New York City-born actress made her Broadway debut in 1953 through the show, "Sing Till Tomorrow." She famously became part of 1958's "Comes a Day" with Larry Hagman, George C. Scott, and Judith Anderson.

Years later, she landed on what would be her greatest projects, like "The Detectives," "Ben Casey," and "Bonanza" after appearing in the "A World of Difference" episode of "Twilight Zone."

Her other flicks included "Cannon," "Judgment in Berlin," "Matlock," and "Little House on the Prairie" before starring in other films with her son, Sean, in "All the King's Men," "The Assassination of Richard Nixon," "The Pledge," "The Crossing Guard," and "I Am Sam."

Before her death, she was still able to work with Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, Alden Ehrenreich, Matthew Broderick, and Lily Collins in "Rules Don't Apply" in 2016.

As for her personal life, she met director Leo Penn in 1957 during the rehearsals of "Iceman Cometh." They moved in together after a week and tied the knot months later.

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