Penn says his parents were skeptical about his career choice until they realized how passionate he was about it.

"Most people find a job that they love to do but that also is financially stable and socially stable," he says. "It's always crazy to explain to somebody how something like an art can make you as happy as they are with their 401K."

Although he has appeared in nearly 20 films and TV movies and series (he had a recurring role on "24" this season), Penn says "The Namesake" is the first thing he's done that has made him feel he is respected and can have a career as an actor.

"I think the assumption is that once you've done one movie ... you get to dictate your own career, and that's not true," he says. "I'm still considered a young actor. I'm still considered a new actor. ... "

"My hope is that with something like 'The Namesake,' that that allows me to actually be more choosy and have more control over the types of projects that I do."