Hugo Chavez Dead: Hollywood Actor Sean Penn and Director Oliver Stone Mourn Death of "Friend" and Venezuelan President

Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez, died last night from complication of cancer and his Hollywood "friends," actor Sean Penn and director Oliver Stone, have started to mourn publicly. Each man, no stranger to world politics and policies, have come out with statements over the loss of someone they considered to be a friend and great man.

The 52-year-old Mystic River star says that the world will suffer from the loss of Chavez. In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Penn said:

"Today the people of the United States lost a friend it never knew it had. And poor people around the world lost a champion. I lost a friend I was blessed to have. My thoughts are with the family of President Chavez and the people of Venezuela. Venezuela and its revolution will endure under the proven leadership of Vice President Maduro."

Penn met Chavez in 2007, attended an election rally in late August of 2012, and took part in a December candlelight vigil for the leader during his illness.

Director Oliver Stone's 2009 film, South of the Border, was a support vessel for the late Venezuelan president. In his mourning statement, stone praised Chavez, saying:

''I mourn a great hero to the majority of his people and those who struggle throughout the world for a place. Hated by the entrenched classes, Hugo Chavez will live forever in history. My friend, rest finally in a peace long earned."

Mstarz previously reported on the death of the Venezuelan president. Here is an excerpt:

President Hugo Chavez Has Died Tuesday. Vice President Nicolas Maduro asked the Venezulaeans to remain respectful during their time of mourning the late President, "We must unite now more than ever."

The South American country and supporters have poured into a Caracas square after Chavez's death was confirmed. Maduro said that plans for the President's massive funeral will be announce in days to come and did not confirm about any special elections that will be held to replace Chavez, "Our people can count on having a government of men and women committed to protecting them," Maduro said.