Lee Daniels Settles Sean Penn Defamation Suit, Apologizes For Domestic Violence Comments

Lee Daniels and Sean Penn have reached a settlement in the latter’s defamation suit, resulting in an apology and a charitable donation.

Lee Daniels Apologizes

Daniels penned a public letter of apology to address the comments he made about Penn last year, which suggested that the actor had a history of domestic violence.

“I am so sorry that I have hurt you, Sean, and I apologize and retract my reckless statements about you,” Daniels wrote, referring to the comments that led to Penn’s defamation suit. “How thoughtless of me. You are someone I consider a friend, a brilliant actor and true Hollywood legend and humanitarian. I too have been the subject of false attacks by others, like those made here. My most important role is as a father, and it is important to me that my children learn that it is wrong to reference gossip as fact, as I did here. That can be very damaging and hurtful.”

Daniels added, “Domestic violence is a very serious issue. My comments were cavalier; it was not my intention to diminish the severity of the issue, but rather to express a view regarding the disparate treatment of men of color in our national conversation. I apologize again for the distress that this has caused you and your family.”

Daniels, in addition to the apology, made a donation to Penn’s J/P Haitian Relief Organization.

In response to Daniels’ letter and donation, Penn produced a public note to accept the apology. “I accept Lee’s heartfelt apology and appreciate the sincerity with which it was delivered,” it reads. “I also accept and appreciate his generous donation to J/P HRO, which will have a transformative effect on the lives of those we serve in Haiti.”

Penn sued Daniels for defamation last fall when Daniels defended Empire star Terrence Howard against his critics, claiming that he had done no worse than Penn in regard to domestic violence. Though Penn has long been plagued by rumors that he battered his exes, including Madonna, nothing of the sort has ever been proven and he had never been charged with any crime of that nature.

“[Terrence] ain’t done nothing different than Marlon Brando or Sean Penn,” Daniels told The Hollywood Reporter. “And all of a sudden he’s some demon.”

In Penn’s defamation filing, it states, “Daniels falsely equates Penn with Howard, even though, while he has certainly had several brushes with the law, Penn (unlike Howard) has never been arrested, much less convicted, for domestic violence, as his ex-wives (including Madonna) would confirm and attest.”

Incidentally, Madonna did support Penn in court, acknowledging that they had had a tumultuous relationship, but that Penn had never assaulted her.