Sean Penn has sparked rumours that he has found a new love interest just weeks after splitting from Charlize Theron. The 54-year-old actor was spotted enjoying an intimate dinner with Minka Kelly in an exclusive restaurant in Napa Valley.
The pair were celebrating Minka's 35th birthday last week, and were reportedly joined by three of the actress' close friends.
The group dined at posh eatery The French Laundry, where they feasted on chicken with its feel still attached and truffle mac and cheese, American publication TMZ has reported.
© Photo: Getty ImagesSean Penn was pictured attending Minka Kelly's birthday dinner with her three friends
The meal was completed with a birthday cake for Minka, with Sean and the actress' friends singing "Happy Birthday" to her. According to the same website, Madonna's ex-husband was overheard explaining how he met the Friday Night Lights star at a Haiti charity event.
The actor has a long list of charitable projects to his name, including the annual fundraising event he runs, the Help Haiti Home gala, which raised almost £4million this year.
A photograph has emerged of Sean seated inside the restaurant at the dinner, and he is said to have footed the bill.
Minka shared an Instagram photo from lavish restaurant The French Laundry
While Minka's Instagram photo from the night did not appear to include Sean or her other friends, the pretty brunette did include a thank you note in her caption. "Birthday festivities off to a pretty magical start #thankyou #napa," she wrote.
The Los Angeles-born star carried on the celebrations the night after with her girlfriends, by going clubbing and again tucking into an enormous cake.
"Definitely a night to remember... I'm a very lucky girl," the actress wrote on Instagram
She sweetly captioned one photo: "Definitely a night to remember, and perhaps repeat annually! We danced all night, we were dripping in sweat, and it couldn't have been more perfect. I'm a very lucky girl. Nurture your friendships. We're nothing without them. Thank you for the happiest birthday!! #ohwhatanight."
Minka's last high-profile relationship was with fellow actor Chris Evans, whom she dated for one year until October 2013. Sean, meanwhile, is said to have just come out of a relationship with Hollywood beauty Charlize Theron.
The former couple, who were friends for 18 years, were believed to be engaged but broke up in June after spending time together in Cannes, US Weekly reported at the time.
