Sean Penn believes actors deserve their huge pay packets.

The 'Gunman' star hates being referred to as a celebrity rather than an actor as he sees himself as an artist and believes those actors who are dedicated to their craft deserve what they receive in return.

In an interview with The Times newspaper, he shared: ''Look, I'm 54. Things aren't going to change in my lifetime. People aren't going to change. This media thing's not going to change by the time I'm dead. But when I look at what I'd like the arts to be, and the people who put their hearts out there on the line...

Yeah they get paid well if they do well! Sorry! You know? Hopefully they give some back! But what they do ... when it's worth something, it's worth a lot.''

Sean - who is currently dating the face of J'adore Dior perfume, Charlize Theron - claims actors putting their names and faces to products is what leads to a lack of credibility in acting.

He explained: ''I think the biggest culprit in all this is the artists. They have declared their own easy-to-com identity, which fame and money. I mean, you can't turn on the television without somebody selling you a watch. Or lipstick. Why? Why? For most, it contributes to them losing their way. For most.''

Meanwhile, the 'Mystic River' actor insists that despite being one of the biggest names in Hollywood, he doesn't think he's changed all that much from when he was a young boy.

He added: ''When I look back, in every important way, I'm still the same guy as I was when I was nine. If not six.''