Sean Penn's famous meetups

Mexican drug lord "El Chapo," the late Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez and former President Bill Clinton are just a few of the newsmakers Oscar-winning actor and activist Sean Penn has encountered.

In this photo, Sean Penn (L) shakes hands with Joaquin "Chapo" Guzman in Mexico, in this undated Rolling Stone photo obtained by Reuters on January 10, 2016. The photo was taken to authenticate a secret meeting between the two men in October 2015 while Guzman was on the run from authorities after his second prison escape on July 11, 2015. Guzman was interested in making a film on his life and times.

Sean Penn & Hugo Chávez

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez (L) speaks with Sean Penn (R) during a meeting in Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas on March 5, 2011.

Penn, who was visiting Caracas, thanked Chávez for the funding that his government gave to an NGO based in Haiti that assists the victims of the earthquake that shook the country in January 2010.

The two first met in 2007 in Venezuela. Penn called the president a "friend" at the time of Chavez's death in 2013.

Sean Penn & Gorbachev

Sean Penn (R) jokes with former Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev, during a meeting with students at Frederick Von Steuben Metropolitan Science Center as part of the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates on April 23, 2012 in Chicago.

Sean Penn & Evo Morales

Bolivian President Evo Morales (R) gives Sean Penn (L) a gift during a meeting at the Quemado presidential palace in La Paz on October 30, 2012.

Penn & Ostreicher

Sean Penn (R) looks at American businessman Jacob Ostreicher (2nd R), imprisoned since June 2012 on money laundering and criminal organization charges, during a medical check-up in Palmasola Prison, in Santa Cruz, Bolivia on November 1, 2012.

At the behest of a Jewish prisoner's organization, Penn went to Bolivia to meet President Evo Morales and ask for Ostreicher's release. Ostreicher was removed from prison and placed under house arrest in Santa Cruz. Penn subsequently released a statement to the AP, stating Ostreicher was rescued and back in the U.S.

Sean Penn & Hugo Chavez

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (R) greets Sean Penn after a meeting in Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas on March 5, 2011.

Penn, who was visiting Caracas, thanked Chavez for the funding that his government gave to an NGO based in Haiti that assists the victims of the earthquake that shook the country in January 2010.

Sean Penn & Bill Clinton

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton (L) and Sean Penn tour the Lime Nursery and Grafting Project in Mirebalais, in the central plateau of Haiti, on February 23, 2015.

Clinton visited Clinton Foundation projects supporting the development and growth of Haitian businesses in the agricultural, artisan and tourism sectors.

Sean Penn & Francois Hollande

French President Francois Hollande (R) talks with Sean Penn, Ambassador-at-Large, Republic of Haiti and Founder of the J/P Haitian Relief Organization, after a meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, February 19, 2015.

Sean Penn & world leaders

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro takes a picture with actor Sean Penn (L) and Haiti's Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe (C) as they visit him at Miraflores Palace in Caracas, March 9, 2014.

Sean Penn & Jesse Jackson

American civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. (L) talks with actor Sean Penn during the funeral for Venezuela's late President Hugo Chavez at the Military Academy in Caracas March 8, 2013.

Sean Penn & Ban Ki-moon

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (R) is greeted by actor and director of J/P Haitian Relief Organisation Sean Penn (L) and actress Maria Bello (C), member of J/P HRO, during a visit at the Petion Ville Club golf course IDP camp in Port-au-Prince March 14, 2010.

World Bank president

Sean Penn(R) speaks next to World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim (L) during a conference at the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings in Lima on October 8, 2015.

Sean Penn in Benghazi

Hollywood star Sean Penn (C) arrives in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi on October 4, 2011, -- the epicenter of rebellion against Muammar Qaddafi -- to assess at first hand the humanitarian needs of the people of Libya. Penn told APTV he admires "the courage to say we want freedom. It's an extraordinary thing."