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How did ''Friends'' get Sean Penn? | friends_l

'FRIENDS'' LOVERS Penn played Ursulas's boyfriend

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Friends

By Caroline Kepnes

Caroline Kepnes

How did ''Friends'' get Mr. Anti-Hollywood (a.k.a. Sean Penn) to appear in two episodes as the beau of Phoebe's twin sister (also Lisa Kudrow)?

This one's for the children. The actor's spokeswoman says ''Friends'' is must-see TV in the Penn house -- not for Sean, but for his kids: Dylan, 10, and Hopper, 8. A production insider says Penn and family have made several visits to the ''Friends'' set over the years, but producers didn't approach him until a perfect role came along. ''We've always been fans of his comedy,'' says ''Friends'' cocreator David Crane. After all, Penn's breakthrough role was a teen stoner in 1982's funny ''Fast Times at Ridgemont High.'' (He also yukked it up in a 1994 episode of ''Ellen.'') Long live Spicoli!

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