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Sean Penn Starring in Biopic of Surfing Icon Dorian Paskowitz

by Ethan Anderton
July 1, 2010

Despite being a bit longwinded in his political opinions from time to time, Sean Penn's talent on-screen is a force to be reckoned with. However, when I really think about it, it's almost hard to accept that the same actor who lit up the screen in Milk and went "full retard" in I Am Sam is also the same young actor who had pizza delivered to his history class as surfer dude Jeff Spicoli in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. I'm pretty sure I've heard that Penn doesn't like flashing back to that role very much, but he's going to get a lot more questions about it as Variety reports he might star in a biopic of iconic surfer Dorian "Doc" Paskowitz.

Penn is also slated to produce this film, which will focus on not only Paskowitz himself, but the rest of his family as they have all been dubbed "The First Family of Surfing." Beginning in 1972, Doc founded the first surf camp on the continental United States run exclusively by his family where campers could live alongside and surf with members of the Paskowitz Family. Co-producers Matt Weaver and Graydon Carter had a very difficult time trying to secure the life rights to Paskowitz, who is now 89 years-old, but were finally given the go ahead on the film when Penn got involved. No director is attached, but Paul Feldsher is writing the script.

I'm not sure how much of a surfing cliche Paskowitz may be in real life, but this is the guy who abandoned a successful medical practice and hit the road in a camper with his wife and nine children so it should be quite an interesting character for Penn to bring to life. We'll keep you updated on the film. Anyone interested?

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