Penns file for divorce again

For a third time, Sean Penn and Robin Wright Penn are to splitÂ…

10:33 19 August 2009

Hollywood couple Sean Penn and his wife Robin Wright Penn are set to divorce, according to US reports.

People magazine reported that Wright Penn filed the petition to split last week, citing "irreconcilable differences". It will mark the third time that divorce proceedings have been filed in the last two years.

The couple opted for divorce in December 2007 and April 2009 only to withdraw and reconcile. The Penns married in 1996.

They have two children, daughter Dylan Francis, 18, and son Hopper Jack, 16. People magazine reported that they have agreed to share custody of their son.

Sean Penn won an Oscar at February's Academy Award ceremony for his performance as gay rights activist Harvey Milk in 'Milk'. However, he neglected to thank his wife during his acceptance speech.

He had previously won the honour for 2003's 'Mystic River' as well as being nominated a further three times. Penn was previously married to Madonna, whom he co-starred with in 1986's 'Shanghai Surprise'.

Robin Wright Penn found fame with 'The Princess Diaries' and has also appeared in 'Forrest Gump' and 'State of Play'. Her next role is alongside Jim Carrey in a computer animated version of 'A Christmas Carol'.