Julia Roberts and Sean Penn reunited for a conversation about Black & CNN‘s Actors on Actors season 23, and their longtime friendship quickly turned into a sweet moment of appreciation for a special person in Julia’s life, her husband, Danny Moder.
During the episode, which aired on Saturday, December 6, Penn looked back on their first meeting in New York City, when he was working with Julia’s brother Eric Roberts on The Pope of Greenwich Village.
He remembered Julia as “Eric’s little sister”, probably still a teenager at the time. She replied playfully, “Yes. I still am.”
As they continued to chat about their careers and shared history, Penn revealed how happy he is for Mother.
“I think you’re phenomenal,” he told Julia, before adding that his mother always enjoyed being around her. Then he praised Moder, calling him his “favorite cinematographer.”
Julia jumped in and joked that they share a “love” for Mother, which Penn didn’t hesitate to back up with a story.
He recalled that Moder once filmed a project handheld, staying laser-focused as he worked quietly from the corner.
Penn recalled someone describing that moment as “the sexiest thing on earth.”
Roberts and Penn also reflected on filming the 2022 Starz limited series Gas litwhere they played Martha and John Mitchell.
Julia has previously spoken about Penn’s talent, saying at the time, “Sean Penn is just the best in the game.”
She said it was a thrill to see him completely transform into his character.
Their friendship has spanned decades, from industry connections to working together on screen.
But in this reunion, one of the biggest highlights was Penn openly admiring the man Julia built her life with, making it clear that the respect between them goes far beyond Hollywood.
