Chris Penn found dead

The body of the 'Footloose' star was discovered in his Santa Monica condo on Tuesday by police.

Jan 25 2006

'Reservoir Dogs' star Chris Penn has been found dead at his Santa Monica apartment on Tuesday. Police were called by a housekeeper in Penn's building on Tuesday afternoon and found the actor's body in his bed. They are now investigating the cause of death, although foul play is not suspected at this time.

Penn first rose to prominence with supporting roles in the brat pack flicks 'Rumble Fish' and 'All the Right Moves'.

He also appeared in the hit musical 'Footloose', while in 1985 he starred opposite brother Sean in the domestic thriller 'At Close Range'.

But it was as 'Nice Guy' Eddie in Quentin Tarantino's 'Reservoir Dogs' that he really made his name, delivering a blistering performance as the shell-suited planner of a disastrous heist.

Small but pivotal roles in 'True Romance', 'Short Cuts', 'Rush Hour', 'Mulholland Dr.' and 'Starsky & Hutch' followed, while Penn's most recent film, 'The Darwin Awards', is currently screening at Sundance.