Sean Penn has found love again!
The legendary actor and filmmaker, 65, was spotted on the red carpet with his girlfriend, Valeria Nicov, 30, earlier this week. The duo attended the opening ceremony for the 17th Film Festival Lumiere in Lyon, France. Penn, whose most recent project is an appearance in the Paul Thomas Anderson film One Battle After Another alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Benicio Del Toro, is also an acclaimed director of films like Into the Wild.
Penn chose a black suit for the occasion, a sharp contrast to his tousled white hair. Nicov looked stunning in a navy blue silk dress with a plunging neckline and puffy sleeves. She completed the look with black flats and her long, brown hair cascading on her shoulders.
(Photo by Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images)
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Valeria is an Actress and Model
Nicov chronicles her travels on her Instagram page. An actress and model who speaks several languages, she frequently travels the world for her career and is featured in some of fashion’s most exotic brands. However, it’s also clear she’s an accomplished horseback rider, sharing several images of riding horses.
Sean Penn Used to Box with Bob Dylan
During an appearance on The Tonight Show last month to promote his movie One Battle After Another, Penn told host Jimmy Fallon a unique fact about his extracurricular activities: He used to box with Bob Dylan.
“Bob Dylan, turns out, is a student of boxing, and I had a 16-foot punching ring at my house and I was friendly with his son,” Penn explained. “And at some point, Jesse, his son, said to me, ‘You know, my dad would like to spar.’ “
“Sorry Bob, if I’m talking out of school, but he would show up every morning,” Penn added. “That went on for about a month, I think. About seven or eight o’clock in the morning, with his hoodie on and about six bull mastiffs coming out of a VW van. There wasn’t a lot of conversation, it was kind of like ‘Good? Good.’ And we’d spar.”
Penn didn’t mention who used to win during these matches, but we’ll take him at his word.
Related: Bob Dylan and Sean Penn Used to Box Together ‘Every Morning’
This story was originally reported by Parade on Oct 13, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.