What character did Sean Penn portray in the film that won him a 2026 SAG Award?

Sean Penn portrayed Colonel Steven J. Lockjaw in One Battle After Another, the role that won him a 2026 SAG Award.

Penn’s performance was recognized in the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role category. Lockjaw is a central figure in the film’s political and military conflict, making the role more substantial than a brief supporting appearance.

One Battle After Another was directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and features an ensemble that also includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall, Chase Infiniti, and Teyana Taylor. The film led all motion pictures at the 2026 SAG Awards with seven nominations.

A common mix-up is confusing Penn’s character with Leonardo DiCaprio’s Bob Ferguson or del Toro’s Sensei Sergio St. Carlos. Those characters were also associated with the same film’s nominated ensemble, but neither name identifies Penn’s role.