In March 2011, Sheen was terminated from hisTwo and a Half Men contract byCBS andWarner Bros. following public substance-abuse problems, marital difficulties and comments made towards the series' creator,Chuck Lorre.[3][4] In 2015, Sheen publicly revealed that he wasHIV positive, which led to an increase in HIV prevention and testing that was dubbed the "Charlie Sheen effect".[5][6] Post-Two and a Half Men, he starred in the filmsMachete Kills (2013) and9/11 (2017), and had a recurring role on Lorre'sMax seriesBookie (2023–2024).
At Santa Monica High School, he showed an early interest in acting, making amateurSuper 8 films with his brother Emilio and school friendsRob Lowe andSean Penn under his birth name.[15] A few weeks before his scheduled graduation from Santa Monica High School, Sheen was expelled from school for poor grades and attendance.[15] He then chose to become an actor, and adopted the stage name Charlie Sheen.[15] His father had adopted the surname Sheen in honor of theCatholicarchbishop and theologianFulton J. Sheen, and Charlie was an English form of his given name Carlos.[15][16]
Career
1983–1999: Breakthrough and stardom
Sheen's film career began in 1983, when he was cast to portray Ron inGrizzly II: The Predator, the sequel to the 1976 low-budget horror movieGrizzly, which remained unreleased until 2020.[17] In 1984, he had a role in theJohn Milius-directed Cold War teen dramaRed Dawn withPatrick Swayze,C. Thomas Howell,Lea Thompson, andJennifer Grey. His next theatrical release wasThe Boys Next Door (1985), directed byPenelope Spheeris.[18] While largely ignored by the public, the film was critically acclaimed.The Los Angeles Times review praised Sheen, by saying he is "marvelous as a kid scared of his own desires--eyes wide open, paralyzed with fear, he looks like a deer caught in the glare of a hunter's headlights".[19]The New York Times review has also praised Sheen's "exceptionally well-acted" performance and compared the film toBadlands (1973), a film starring Charlie's fatherMartin Sheen for its "lean and unsentimental" atmosphere.[20]
In his early roles, critics favorably compared Charlie Sheen to his father,Martin Sheen, highlighting parallels between Charlie's performances inThe Boys Next Door (1985) andPlatoon (1986) and Martin's acclaimed roles inBadlands (1973) andApocalypse Now (1979).
In 1986, Sheen has started to get more attention. He reunited with Jennifer Grey in a small scene inFerris Bueller's Day Off, where he played a juvenile delinquent Grey meets in a police station.[21] Sheen stayed late up until late hours to have a more authentic look.[21]New York Daily News wrote "[Sheen] makes a great impact in this one brief scene than anyone else in the movie."[22] Film criticGene Siskel praised the chemistry between him and Grey.[23]
Sheen had a supporting role in the coming-of-age dramaLucas (1986), which got a mostly positive reception.Roger Ebert ofChicago Sun-Times said Sheen has the most difficult role to play inLucas and his performance avoids the clichés usually associated withteen jock characters.[24]Los Angeles Times review has also praised Sheen, writing that he "exudes naturalness, manages to be handsome without being self-conscious" and surprisingly "emerges as the film’s most consistently sympathetic figure."[25] He didn't get much attention for the science fiction filmThe Wraith (1986), despite playing the titular role because critics thought he was underused. In a review forThe Washington Post, criticPaul Attanasio mentioned that "there is all too little of the quietly charismatic Sheen."[26]
Sheen's big breakthrough role came in theVietnam War dramaPlatoon. The film was a major commercial and critical success and won four Oscars, including theAcademy Award for Best Picture. Sheen and the rest of the cast underwent an immersive military‑style boot camp lasting about 30 days, with strict control over food and water, minimal sleep, and blank‑fire exercises to simulate combat stress.[18]Vincent Canby ofThe New York Times applauded Sheen's performance, saying the character was "beautifully played."[27]The Arizona Republic described the performance as "terrific" andNewsday as "marvellous."[28][29]Variety review noted the similarities he has with his father Martin, making a comparison to his father'sApocalypse Now performance.[30] BothPlatoon andFerris Bueller were among the ten highest-grossing films of the year in the United States.[31]
His first post-Platoon role was in the road filmThree for the Road (1987), which didn't get much attention and Sheen reportedly called it "the nadir" of his career.[32] Despite negative reviews, the critics described Sheen's performance among the highlights and stronger points of the film.[33][34][35] He got bigger attention in the same year by starring oppositeMichael Douglas and his father inWall Street in which he played the role of Bud Fox, a young and ambitious stockbroker.The Washington Post review raved about his performance, "the younger Sheen, who walked wide-eyed through Stone's Vietnam, walks with similar innocence through [the film] and with his three-piece determination he's perfect as a greenhorn yuppie playing with the big guns."[36]The Hollywood Reporter review found him "commendably convincing".[37]Roger Ebert was more critical, citing Sheen's performance as the film's only flaw as he "never seems quite relentless enough to move inGekko's circle".[38] However, in the same year, Ebert praised Sheen's performance in the crime dramaNo Man's Land as "very good" and "charismatic".[39] BothWall Street andPlatoon were directed byOliver Stone.
In 1988, Sheen was the part of two ensemble casts, where he played real-life figures. He starred inJohn Sayles-directed baseball drama filmEight Men Out (1988) asHappy Felsch and opposite his brother Emilio in the western filmYoung Guns asRichard M. Brewer. In 1989, Sheen,John Fusco,Christopher Cain,Lou Diamond Phillips, Emilio Estévez andKiefer Sutherland were honored with aBronze Wrangler for their work on theYoung Guns.[40] An avid baseball player since his youth, Sheen has stated that he took the role in the critically acclaimedEight Men Out not for the money or career but only because of his love for baseball.[41]
He passed onBull Durham to do another baseball comedy filmMajor League (1989), a critical and commercial success.[42][43] Sheen's performance as Ricky "Wild Thing" Vaughn, which he also reprised inthe 1994 sequel, is often considered to be among his most-known characters.Common Sense Media praised his comedic ability in the first film, by writing "Sheen shines as the rockin' closer with a lot of attitude."[44]Empire magazine review also highlighted Sheen for being "a delightful surprise at light comedy."[45]
In 1990, he starred alongside his father and brother, in the films directed by them respectively in the drama filmCadence as a rebellious inmate in a military stockade and in the black comedy filmMen at Work as a garbageman who finds himself in trouble. In the same year, he had a cameo role inDennis Hopper's thriller filmCatchfire and a starring role withClint Eastwood in thebuddy cop filmThe Rookie, directed by Eastwood himself.[9]The Rookie and Sheen's performance got mostly negative reviews. Roger Ebert has criticized Sheen for his "low energy and absent-minded performance".[46]Owen Gleiberman fromEntertainment Weekly observed: "when Sheen slips over the edge and trashes a bar full of hooligan bikers, his performance suddenly comes to life; he should go psycho more often."[47] He also took on the lead role in another action filmNavy SEALs (1990), which got a mostly negative reception.Los Angeles Times review notes that Sheen's portrayal lacks psychological depth, describing his character as a "new-style psychopath" who casually terminates possibly innocent civilians without remorse. Despite this, Sheen's energetic performance adds a layer of gusto to the role.[48] In a retrospective review in 2001,IGN wrote that the role "is one of many which would forever change his reputation from a dedicated actor (seePlatoon orWall Street) to the fun-loving hell raiser image that first springs into our minds today."[49]
Sheen starred in the parody filmHot Shots! (1991) and its sequel,Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993), both huge commercial successes. Film criticJanet Maslin praised Sheen, saying "[he] brings just the right exaggerated seriousness to his ace pilot's role" andKenneth Turan also praised his comic timing.[50][51] In an interview withBobbie Wygant, Sheen stated that forPart Deux, he underwent an intense physical regimen that included a strict diet, yoga, swimming, stationary biking, and general martial arts training. He described the program as an "insane" eight-hour-a-day, six-days-a-week routine that also involved a personal trainer for the first five weeks.[52] Both films were among the highest-grossing films of their respective years. In 1993, he featured in the real-life inspired crime dramaBeyond the Law withLinda Fiorentino andMichael Madsen, where he played a disgraced former cop who goes undercover to infiltrate a violent biker gang involved in drug trafficking.
Sheen turned down the roles in the sports comedyWhite Men Can't Jump (1992) and the dramaIndecent Proposal (1993), both roles went toWoody Harrelson.[53] Instead, he began taking more action-oriented roles by the mid-90s, to mixed reception.[54] He starred asAramis in the new Disney version ofThe Three Musketeers (1993).Entertainment Weekly review described him as "reliably dry."[55] The film was a commercial success but his follow-up action roles inThe Chase (1994) andTerminal Velocity (1994) werebox office flops. Regarding his performance inThe Chase, Roger Ebert has praised his "ability to play an almost impossible role in a fairly straight style".[56] Film criticJames Berardinelli has also noted his "surprisingly effective chemistry" with co-starKristy Swanson.[57]
ForTerminal Velocity, Sheen received the highest salary of his movie career, earning $6 million.[58] The film got mostly negative reviews, and Sheen's performance gained him mixed comments.Entertainment Weekly review said, Sheen has some "fun" one-liners but generally, he gives "a boringly flat, square-jawed performance" whereasVariety review felt "Sheen's glib, sexy persona suits the befuddled but courageous flyboy" andEmpire review found him "delightful."[59][60][61]
In 1996, Sheen has returned to the science fiction genre with the filmThe Arrival, an initial box office flop which later gainedcult following.The Los Angeles Times review praised Sheen's performance as the paranoid astronomer, saying it's the role he was "born to" play.[62] James Berardinelli also praised Sheen's "surprisingly effective" performance and noted that he carries the film "admirably."[63]IGN review was less impressed, finding him "over-the-top".[64] Sheen also made his first sitcom appearance as a guest star in the second season of the popular television seriesFriends. Despite later becoming a well-known sitcom star, Sheen was notably nervous during his first sitcom attempt in front of a live audience. His anxiety was so intense that filming had to pause.[65] Nevertheless, Sheen's performance was well received, earning him spots on best guest stars of the show lists byPeople magazine andLooper.[66][67]
Sheen next starred in the political thrillerShadow Conspiracy (1997), a commercial and critical failure.Total Film review has described the film as Sheen's "latest attempt to send his career to the gas chamber".[68] His next release, theaction comedy filmMoney Talks (1997), was his last box office success of the decade. He then began working primarily in the direct-to-video market, often credited as Charles Sheen. His first role under that name was as a firefighter who harasses his neighbors in the thrillerBad Day on the Block (1997), released asUnder Pressure in some markets.The A.V. Club praised Sheen and co-starMare Winningham for delivering "surprisingly textured, multidimensional performances."[69]
Sheen's subsequentCharles roles included the crime comedyFree Money (1998, oppositeMarlon Brando in his final leading role), the serial killer thrillerPostmortem (1998, directed byAlbert Pyun); and the action filmNo Code of Conduct (1998), which he co-wrote and produced.[70] Sheen returned to the theatrical releases by playing a fictional version of himself in theSpike Jonze filmBeing John Malkovich (1999) in a performance that's been described as an "inspired cameo" by Roger Ebert.[71]PopMatters review highlighted Sheen's role as maintaining a "grim sort of reality," especially considering his real-life struggles at the time, which added depth to his performance.[72] As a part of the ensemble cast, he was nominated for theScreen Actors Guild Award for theOutstanding Performance By a Cast.
2000–2012: Sitcom roles
Sheen in 2012
In the new millennium, Sheen has mostly moved to television roles. His first role was the Emilio Estevez-directedShowtime biographical drama filmRated X (2000), in which he and Emilio played pornographic industry entrepreneursArtie and Jim Mitchell, respectively.Variety review gave high praise to their performances, by writing both actors do "an uncanny, genuinely impressive job".[73]New York Post review raved about their performances as "beyond good".[74]
His first sitcom lead attempt was a pilot forABC, calledSugar Hill in 1999, which was not picked up.[75] In 2000, Sheen first appeared on the small screen as a series regular when he replacedMichael J. Fox for the last two seasons of the sitcomSpin City. After Sheen joined, the show's ratings improved among younger viewers, especially the 18–34 demographic.[76] Michael J. Fox has stated that Sheen has been doing a "great job" as his replacement.[77] For his work onSpin City, Sheen was nominated for twoALMA Awards and won his firstGolden Globe forBest Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy.[78][79] The series ended in 2002. He also appeared inScary Movie 3 (2003),Scary Movie 4 (2006) andScary Movie 5 (2013) entries in the popular horror-spoof seriesScary Movie.
In 2003, Sheen was cast asCharlie Harper in theCBS sitcomTwo and a Half Men, which followed the popular Monday night time slot ofEverybody Loves Raymond. Sheen's role onTwo and a Half Men was loosely based on Sheen's bad-boy image.[80] Sheen's performance was well received.USA Today review wrote "Sheen is so amusingly sardonic and cheerfully self-aware, he makes Charlie's immaturity endearing rather than annoying."[81] The role garnered him an ALMA Award and he gained fourEmmy Award nominations and two Golden Globe award nominations.[78] During his eighth and final season on the show, Sheen earned $1.8 million per episode.[2]
Warner Bros. dismissal and publicity
Production ofTwo and a Half Men went on hiatus in January 2011 while Sheen underwent a substance rehabilitation program in his home, his third attempt at rehab in 12 months.[82][83][84] The following month, CBS canceled the season's four remaining episodes after Sheen publicly made offensive comments about the series' creator,Chuck Lorre,[3] andWarner Bros. Television banned Sheen from entering its production lot.[85] Sheen, already the highest-paid actor on television,[2] responded by publicly demanding a 50-percent raise,[86] claiming that in comparison to the amount that the series was making, he was "underpaid".[86]
CBS and Warner Bros. Television terminated Sheen's contract on March 7, 2011.[87] He was replaced byAshton Kutcher.[88][89] In the aftermath of his dismissal, Sheen continued to feud with Chuck Lorre,[90] and filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against Lorre and Warner Bros. Television, which was settled the following September 26.[91] That same month, Sheen, while presenting an award at thePrimetime Emmy Awards, addressed "everybody here fromTwo and a Half Men" and stated, "From the bottom of my heart, I wish you nothing but the best for this upcoming season. We spent eight wonderful years together and I know you will continue to make great television."[92] In 2012, Sheen returned to television inAnger Management, the spin-off of thefilm of the same name.[93] The series ended after a 100-episode run in the second season.[94]
In the wake of the dismissal, Sheen had a highly publicized meltdown which was broadcast on television and the Internet. He made claims in television interviews suggesting that he was a "warlock" with "tiger blood" and "AdonisDNA", and that he was "winning".[95] He also posted videos to YouTube showing himself smoking cigarettes through his nose, and cursing out his former employers.[96] He told one television interviewer, "I'm tired of pretending I'm not special. I'm tired of pretending I'm not a total bitchin' rock star fromMars."[97] After being accused ofantisemitism in 2011, Sheen claimed that his mother was Jewish,[98] althoughJewish Standard reporter Nate Bloom wrote that he found no evidence to support this and described Sheen's claim as "exceedingly unlikely".[99] Sheen said later that year that his father wasCatholic and his mother wasSouthern Baptist.[11]
On September 19, 2011, Sheen wasroasted onComedy Central. It was watched by 6.4 million people, making it the highest-rated roast on Comedy Central to date.[100] Also that year, he played a role in thehip hop music video "Steak & Mash Potatoes" by Chain Swangaz featuringBrother Marquis. The video features both rappers as fast-food employees who create havoc while their boss (Sheen) is gone.[101]
In October 2018, Sheen flew to Australia for his "An Evening with Charlie Sheen" tour.[106] During this time, he filmed an advert for car servicing companyUltra Tune, which was the next installment in their controversial "Unexpected Situations" series alongside Parnia Porsche, Laura Lydall, Tyana Hansen, and Imogen Lovell.[107][non-primary source needed][108]
Sheen's "My Violent Torpedo of Truth/Defeat is Not An Option" tour on the marquee ofRadio City Music Hall in New York City
In 2006, Sheen launched a clothing line for children, called Sheen Kidz.[110][111] In 2011, Sheen set aGuinness World Record as the "Fastest Time to Reach 1 Million Followers" on Twitter, adding an average of 129,000 new followers daily,[112] as well as a Guinness record for "Highest Paid TV Actor Per Episode – Current" at $1.25 million while he was a part of the cast ofTwo and a Half Men sitcom.[113] On March 3, 2011, Sheen signed with Ad.ly marketing agency specializing in Twitter and Facebook promotions.[114][115]
On March 10, 2011, Sheen announced a nationwide tour, "My Violent Torpedo of Truth/Defeat is Not An Option", which began in Detroit on April 2.[116] The tour sold out in 18 minutes, aTicketmaster record.[117] However, on April 1, 2011, theDetroit Free Press featured an article that stated as of March 30 that there were over 1000 tickets available from a third-party reseller, some at 15% less than the cheapest seats sold at the Fox Theater.[118]The Huffington Post reported that it was expected Sheen would earn $1 million in 2011 from Twitter endorsements and $7 million from the North American tour.[119] Many of those attending the performance of April 2 in Detroit found it disappointing;[120] the subsequent performance in Chicago, which featured some adjustments, received a more positive reception.[121]
Sheen was announced as the face of and partner in "NicoSheen", a line of disposableE-cigarettes and related products.[122]
On August 13, 2011, Sheen hosted at the 12th annualGathering of the Juggalos, an event created by theInsane Clown Posse. He received a mixed reaction from the audience,[123] but has expressed appreciation for the culture by describing himself as aJuggalo[124] and wearing a baseball cap featuring thePsychopathic Records logo in public and during production meetings forAnger Management.[125]
Personal life
Family and relationships
Sheen signing a portrait in 2015
Sheen has been married three times. He has five children and two grandchildren.
His oldest daughter is from a relationship with his former high school girlfriend, Paula Profit,[126] whose name has also been given as Paula Speert.[127] Through their daughter, Cassandra Estevez, Sheen has one granddaughter, named Luna.[128]
On September 3, 1995, Sheen married his first wife, Donna Peele.[137] That same year, Sheen was named as one of the clients of an escort agency operated byHeidi Fleiss.[138] Sheen and Peele divorced in 1996.[9]
Sheen met actressDenise Richards on the set ofGood Advice in 2000.[139] They began dating in October 2001, when Richards guest-starred on Sheen's television showSpin City.[139] They became engaged on December 26, 2001, and married on June 15, 2002, at the estate ofSpin City creatorGary David Goldberg.[139] They have two daughters together, born in 2004 and 2005.[140][141] In March 2005, Richards filed for divorce, accusing Sheen of alcohol and drug abuse with threats of violence,[4] as well as accusations of Sheen looking atgay pornography featuring "boys who looked underage" and being "attracted" to underage girls.[142][143] Sheen later denied these claims, and stated that theFBI was "aware" of the allegations and had searched his computers.[144] The divorce was finalized in November 2006 and preceded a custody dispute over their two daughters.[145][146]
On May 30, 2008, Sheen married his third wife,Brooke Mueller. Mueller gave birth to their twin sons, Bob and Max, on March 14, 2009.[147][148][149][150][151] In November 2010, Sheen filed for divorce. On March 1, 2011, police removed the couple's sons from Sheen's home. Sheen told NBC'sToday, "I stayed very calm and focused."[152] According toPeople, social services took the children after Mueller obtained arestraining order against Sheen. The document said, "I am very concerned that [Sheen] is currently insane."[153] Asked if he would fight for the children, Sheen textedPeople, "Born ready. Winning."[153] Sheen and Mueller's divorce became final on May 2, 2011.[1][154][155]
On March 1, 2011, Sheen was concurrently living with 24-year-old pornographic actressBree Olson and 24-year-old[156] model and graphic designer Natalie Kenly, whom he collectively nicknamed his "goddesses".[157][158][159][160] Olson left Sheen in April 2011, and Kenly left in June 2011.[161][162] In a January 2013 interview onPiers Morgan Tonight, Sheen stated that he was in a relationship with adult film actress and 2011Penthouse magazine Pet of the Month Georgia Jones.[163]
In February 2014, Sheen became engaged to former adult film starBrett Rossi,[164] who began going by her real name, Scottine.[165][166] With a wedding planned for November 2014, the engagement was broken off in October with an announcement that the two had "mutually decided" to separate. Sheen stated, "I've decided that my children deserve my focus more than a relationship does right now. I still have a tremendous fondness for Scotty and I wish her all the best."[167] A month later it was reported that Rossi was hospitalized for an apparent drug overdose.[168]
In 2015, Rossi sued Sheen after his announcement of beingHIV-positive and for other allegations such as "assault and battery, emotional distress, false imprisonment and negligence".[169][170] The suit was referred to arbitration.[171] Another girlfriend of Sheen sued him in 2017, claiming that in 2015 he had concealed his HIV status from her until after they had unprotected sex.[171] The lawsuit was settled in 2022, with Sheen paying $120,000 to the woman.[172] Sheen addressed the allegations in the documentaryaka Charlie Sheen (2025), reaffirming that he never transmitted HIV to another person.[173]
In June 2022, Sheen's second daughter, Sami, created anOnlyFans account. Sheen initially disapproved of the action.[174] He later changed his mind, citing points made by her mother.[175]
In September 2025, while promoting his autobiographyThe Book of Sheen toPeople magazine, Sheen revealed he has had sexual encounters with several men, saying that "I'm no longer running from anything. I wanted to try something new." Sheen also claims full responsibility for his actions, and he also follows that with "So what?"[176]
On May 20, 1998, Sheen had a stroke after overdosing while using cocaine and was hospitalized. Sheen was found in his seaside home by a friend, after which paramedics rushed him toLos Robles Hospital & Medical Center inThousand Oaks, California, where he was described as being in "serious condition" after his stomach was pumped.[182] Days later, Sheen checked into a rehab clinic, then told doctors that he did not intend to stay. Sheen left, but sheriff's deputies forced Sheen back to the clinic.[183] On August 11, 1998, Sheen, already on probation in California for a drug offense, had his probation extended by one year and entered a rehab clinic.[184][185] In a 2004 interview, Sheen disclosed that his previous overdose was caused by injecting cocaine.[186]
On December 25, 2009, Sheen was arrested for assaulting his wife, Brooke Mueller, inAspen, Colorado. He was released the same day from jail after posting an $8,500 bond.[187][188] Sheen was charged with felony menacing, as well as third-degree assault and criminalmischief.[189] On August 2, 2010, Sheen, represented byYale Galanter,[190] pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault as part of aplea bargain that included dismissal of the other charges against him. Sheen was sentenced to 30 days in a drug rehab center, 30 days of probation, and 36 hours of anger management.[191]
On October 26, 2010, the police removed Sheen from his suite at thePlaza Hotel after he reportedly caused $7,000 in damage.[192] According to the NYPD, Sheen admitted to drinking and using cocaine the night of the incident.[192]
On November 17, 2015, Sheen publicly revealed that he wasHIV-positive, having been diagnosed roughly four years earlier.[6] In an interview, he referred to the acronym HIV as "three hard letters to absorb," while clarifying that his 2011 meltdown was not a response to the diagnosis, as it came afterwards.[193] He manages his condition with atriple cocktail of antiretroviral drugs, and said that it was impossible that he could have knowingly infected any of his partners.[194] Sheen noted that since 2011, he had paid extortionists approximately $10 million to keep his HIV status secret.[194] Sheen stated that he was upfront about his HIV-positive condition with all of his past partners.[194]
In an episode ofThe Dr. Oz Show taped in late 2015 and aired January 12, 2016, Sheen stated that he had "been off [his] meds for about a week now," receivingalternative treatment in Mexico fromSam Chachoua, who claims to have an effectivevaccine for HIV; according to his manager, however, after the episode was taped he resumed taking his medications.[195]
In April 2016, Sheen had his monthlychild support payments to his two ex-wives, Richards and Mueller, reduced from $55,000 to $10,000.[196] The same month, it was announced that Sheen was under investigation by the LAPD stalking unit for threatening to kill his former fiancéeScottine Ross.[197]
Sexual abuse allegation
In 2017, Sheen sued theNational Enquirer over a story alleging that, in 1986, he raped his 13-year-old co-starCorey Haim on the set ofLucas. The case was settled in 2018. Haim's mother, Judy Haim, identified a different actor as her son's rapist onThe Dr. Oz Show, and toldEntertainment Tonight that Sheen never raped her son, calling the claims "made up".[198][199]
In March 2020, actorCorey Feldman repeated the claim that Sheen raped Haim in his documentary(My) Truth: The Rape of Two Coreys, corroborated by Feldman's ex-wife Susie Feldman and hisLost Boys co-starJamison Newlander.[200] Sheen, through his publicist, denied the allegations, calling them "sick, twisted and outlandish".[199] Corey Haim's sister Cari Haim has criticized the documentary and supported Sheen's side.[201]
In 2025 while promoting his bookThe Book of Sheen and during an interview withEntertainment Tonight, Sheen himself also denied the allegations, calling it "a bullshit", "a vile work of fiction", and a hideous insult to the memory of Haim. Sheen later said "shame on Feldman."[202] In his documentaryaka Charlie Sheen, Sheen addresses the allegations and stated that he considered suing Feldman, whom has been accused ofsexual misconduct by multiple women since then, but ultimately chose not to, saying he did not want to give him "more content."[203][204] In a 2025 documentaryCorey Feldman vs. The World, Feldman further alleged that he was sexually abused by Haim, and stating that Haim claimed Sheen had told him such behavior was acceptable.[205]
Activism
The Charlie Sheen effect
Sheen's disclosure of his HIV-positive diagnosis corresponded with the greatest number of HIV-related Google searches ever recorded in the United States. During the three weeks following his disclosure, there were about 2.75 million more searches than expected that included the term HIV, and 1.25 million searches were directly relevant to public-health outcomes because they included search terms for condoms, HIV symptoms, or HIV testing (e.g., "get HIV tested").[206]
A 2017 study found that Sheen's disclosure corresponded with a 95% increase in over-the-counter at-home HIV testing kits.[207]
The study's authors dubbed it "The Charlie Sheen Effect", with commenters noting "Charlie Sheen did more for HIV education than most UN events do."[208] Sheen spoke out for HIV prevention, sharing the studies on social media, tweeting "Honored, humbled, inspired, hopeful."[209]
Charity work
Sheen was the 2004 spokesperson for theLee National Denim Day breast cancer fundraiser that raised millions of dollars for research and education regarding the disease. Sheen stated that a friend of his died from breast cancer, and he wanted to try to help find a cure for the disease.[210]
A major donor and supporter of Aid For AIDS since 2006, Sheen was honored with an AFA Angel Award, one of only a few ever given, at the nonprofit's 25th Silver Anniversary Reception in 2009.[211] In addition to his financial support, he has volunteered to act as a celebrity judge for several years for their annual fundraiser,Best in Drag Show,[212] which raises around a quarter of a million dollars[211] each year in Los Angeles for AIDS assistance.[213][214]He has brought other celebrities to support the event, including his father, actorMartin Sheen.[215] Sheen's interest in AIDS was first reported in 1987 with his support ofRyan White, an Indiana teenager who became a national spokesperson for AIDS awareness after being infected with AIDS through a blood transfusion for hishemophilia.[216][217]
Sheen donated one dollar from each ticket sold from his "My Violent Torpedo of Truth/Defeat is Not An Option Show" 2011 tour to theRed CrossJapanese earthquake Relief Fund.[117]
In 2011, Sheen took on a Twitter challenge by a grieving mother to help critically ill babies born withcongenital diaphragmatic hernia by supporting the Association of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Research, Awareness and Support (CDHRAS).[219]
Sheen is a lifelong fan of theCincinnati Reds. In August 2012, he announced that he would donate $50,000 to the team's community fund, which supports various charities. The donation came after the team raised another $50,000 in an attempt to get sportscasterMarty Brennaman to shave his head on the field after a Reds victory. After Brennaman shaved his head, Sheen offered to match the previous donation total.[220]
Opinions
Political views
In a 2015 interview, Sheen described himself as a "constitutionalRepublican" and expressed a desire to run for president in2016.[221] Despite having been an active critic of theBush administration at the time it was in power, Sheen spoke fondly ofGeorge W. Bush in 2014, saying: "He did the best he could with what he was confronted with, and it is beyond anything I can comprehend".[222]
Sheen has been publicly scathing about PresidentDonald Trump. In 2016, he labeled Trump a "charlatan" and wished death upon him.[223][224] However, in a 2025 appearance onThe Megyn Kelly Show during her live tour, Sheen stated that he voted forKamala Harris in the2024 United States presidential election, but more recently has "been listening to both sides", praised some of Trump's policy, including his negotiated agreements in international conflicts and said he had to "part ways" withDemocratic Party.[225]
Despite being a gun enthusiast in his youth, Sheen has spoken in favor ofgun control. In 2013, while discussingSandy Hook Elementary School shooting, he commented, "If anybody from theNRA wants to look any of those parents in the eyes from that school and tell them that guns are still necessary, then I urge them to, and see how that goes," and added that, "we're not supposed to bury our children."[226]
September 11 attacks
Sheen is an outspoken advocate of the9/11 truth movement.[227] On September 8, 2009, he appealed to PresidentBarack Obama to set up a new investigation into the attacks. Presenting his views as a transcript of a fictional encounter with Obama, he was characterized by the press as believing the9/11 Commission was a whitewash and that theGeorge W. Bush administration may have been responsible for the attacks.[228]
Anti-vaccination
Sheen is staunchlyopposed to vaccinations. After separating from Denise Richards, he sent a legal notice to his daughters' physician stating his lack of consent to vaccinate them.[229] The dispute over vaccines seems to have played an important role in the failure of the marriage. Richards said in an interview in 2008, "When I vaccinated Sam, he accused me of poisoning her. And I knew when he said that that the marriage wasn't going to work."[230]
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