Indo-Asian News Service
Los Angeles

American actor Sean Penn won the best actor Oscar for his performance in Milk, about late American politician Harvey Milk, a gay rights activist.

"I did not expect this, but I am touched by this appreciation. I want to thank our wonderful writer, producers and particularly, the director," Penn said after receiving the award.

Penn, who had first received the Academy award in 2003 for Mystic River, also won the Screen Actors Guild Award for outstanding performance in a leading role for "Milk" this year.