When Sean Penn’s life is made into a film, do you think they’ll dramatize this ridiculous episode? (Hat tip: LGF readers.)

EFFORTS by Hollywood actor Sean Penn to aid New Orleans victims stranded by Hurricane Katrina foundered badly overnight, when the boat he was piloting to launch a rescue attempt sprang a leak.

Penn had planned to rescue children waylaid by Katrina’s flood waters, but apparently forgot to plug a hole in the bottom of the vessel, which began taking water within seconds of its launch.

The actor, known for his political activism, was seen wearing what appeared to be a white flak jacket and frantically bailing water out of the sinking vessel with a red plastic cup.

When the boat’s motor failed to start, those aboard were forced to use paddles to propel themselves down the flooded New Orleans street.

UPDATE at 9/4/05 6:51:18 pm:

Getty Images has photos!

UPDATE at 9/4/05 6:55:28 pm:

A reader emailed another, including the horrible red plastic cup!