January 5 1989 // Madonna has filed for divorce to end her turbulent three-year marriage to the actor Sean Penn

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 6— Madonna has filed for divorce to end her turbulent three-year marriage to the actor Sean Penn, a spokesman for her record label said.

Bob Merlis of Warner Brothers records did not specify when the actress and singer had filed for the divorce, but said he assumed the papers had been filed in Los Angeles.

''It is true,'' said John West, a spokesman for Mr. Penn. ''Sean and Madonna are separated. They plan to divorce and it's amicable.''

The announcement follows a nullified divorce filing in late 1987 and several well-publicized fights involving Mr. Penn, one of which led to a 60-day prison term. Divorce rumors have been swirling around the couple in recent months.

Madonna rose to fame with her hits ''Borderline,'' ''Like a Virgin'' and ''Material Girl.'' She also acted in the movie ''Desperately Seeking Susan'' and in David Mamet's Broadway play ''Speed-the-Plow.''

Mr. Penn, who has starred in the movies ''Fast Times at Ridgemont High,'' ''The Falcon and the Snowman'' and ''Colors,'' is currently appearing in Los Angeles in ''Hurlyburly.''

The couple were married in August 1985 in a Malibu, Calif., ocean-bluff ceremony, which was buzzed by press photographers in helicopters.