01of 21Martin Sheen’s Early YearsFilmPublicityArchive/United Archives/GettyRamón Estévez was born on August 3, 1940 in Dayton, Ohio to parents Mary Ann and Francisco Estévez; his mother died when he was 11. After leaving home to pursue a love of acting in his early 20s, he adopted the stage name “Martin Sheen,” in hopes that an anglicized stage name would get him seen for more auditions.Though he became a successful actor right out of the gate, Sheen has said recently that he regrets feeling compelled to adopt a stage name to succeed. “Sometimes you get persuaded when you don’t have enough insight or even enough courage to stand up for what you believe in, and you pay for it later,“he toldCloser Weekly, adding, “I never changed my name officially. It’s still Ramon Estévez on my birth certificate. It’s on my marriage license, my passport, driver’s license.”
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Martin Sheen’s Early Years
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Ramón Estévez was born on August 3, 1940 in Dayton, Ohio to parents Mary Ann and Francisco Estévez; his mother died when he was 11. After leaving home to pursue a love of acting in his early 20s, he adopted the stage name “Martin Sheen,” in hopes that an anglicized stage name would get him seen for more auditions.
Though he became a successful actor right out of the gate, Sheen has said recently that he regrets feeling compelled to adopt a stage name to succeed. “Sometimes you get persuaded when you don’t have enough insight or even enough courage to stand up for what you believe in, and you pay for it later,“he toldCloser Weekly, adding, “I never changed my name officially. It’s still Ramon Estévez on my birth certificate. It’s on my marriage license, my passport, driver’s license.”
02of 21Martin Sheen’s MarriageRon Galella/Ron Galella Collection/GettySheen’s wife of more than 60 years, Janet Templeton, was also born in Dayton, but she and Sheen didn’t meet until they were both in New York. They married in 1961.
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Martin Sheen’s Marriage
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Sheen’s wife of more than 60 years, Janet Templeton, was also born in Dayton, but she and Sheen didn’t meet until they were both in New York. They married in 1961.
03of 21Martin Sheen and his FamilyFrank Edwards/Fotos International/GettyTogether, Sheen and his wife have four children: Ramón Estevez (not pictured), Renée Estevez, Emilio Estevez, and Charlie Sheen (born Carlos Estevez). All of his children grew up to work in the entertainment industry.
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Martin Sheen and his Family
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Together, Sheen and his wife have four children: Ramón Estevez (not pictured), Renée Estevez, Emilio Estevez, and Charlie Sheen (born Carlos Estevez). All of his children grew up to work in the entertainment industry.
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Martin Sheen and Alan Arkin in Catch-22
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Martin Sheen in a Trailblazing Role
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Sheen has looked back proudly uponThat Certain Summer’s success, calling it a “huge hit” when speakingto theDallas Voicein 2007. “It was about being human,” said Sheen, who played Gary McClain in the film. “It was about being honest, and that’s the bottom line.”
06of 21Martin Sheen Co-Stars with his BrotherDisney/GettyIn 1974, Sheen shared the screen with his little brother Joe Estévez inThe Story of Pretty Boy Floyd.
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Martin Sheen Co-Stars with his Brother
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In 1974, Sheen shared the screen with his little brother Joe Estévez inThe Story of Pretty Boy Floyd.
07of 21Martin Sheen’s Biggest Break Yet in Apocalypse NowCaterine Milinaire/Sygma/GettyThough Sheen had become one to watch in the years leading up toApocalypse Now, he became a household name after starring in Francis Ford Coppola’s 1979 epic set during the Vietnam War. Cast in the A-list company of Marlon Brando, Dennis Hopper and Robert Duvall, Sheen leads as U.S. Army Captain Benjamin L. Willard.Though the film was massively successful and Sheen’s earned him a BAFTA nomination for Best Actor, he struggled during filming in the Philippines,tellingRolling Stonethat he had a heart attack and a nervous breakdownin part because of the difficult subject matter and unhealthy habits he adopted during the shoot.
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Martin Sheen’s Biggest Break Yet in Apocalypse Now
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Though Sheen had become one to watch in the years leading up toApocalypse Now, he became a household name after starring in Francis Ford Coppola’s 1979 epic set during the Vietnam War. Cast in the A-list company of Marlon Brando, Dennis Hopper and Robert Duvall, Sheen leads as U.S. Army Captain Benjamin L. Willard.
Though the film was massively successful and Sheen’s earned him a BAFTA nomination for Best Actor, he struggled during filming in the Philippines,tellingRolling Stonethat he had a heart attack and a nervous breakdownin part because of the difficult subject matter and unhealthy habits he adopted during the shoot.
08of 21Martin Sheen on Saturday Night LiveAlan Singer/NBCU Photo Bank/GettySheen hosted the sketch comedy show in December 1979, just months afterApocalypse Nowcaused his celebrity status to skyrocket. He tapped into his comedic ability for a sketch alongside Jane Curtin and Gilda Radner.
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Martin Sheen on Saturday Night Live
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Sheen hosted the sketch comedy show in December 1979, just months afterApocalypse Nowcaused his celebrity status to skyrocket. He tapped into his comedic ability for a sketch alongside Jane Curtin and Gilda Radner.
09of 21Martin Sheen’s First Time Playing a PresidentBettmann/GettyIn 1983, Sheen played President John F. Kennedy in the award-winning miniseriesKennedy —which would be the first of many presidents he would portray. The presidential biography also featured Blair Brown in the role of first lady Jacqueline Onassis.
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Martin Sheen’s First Time Playing a President
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In 1983, Sheen played President John F. Kennedy in the award-winning miniseriesKennedy —which would be the first of many presidents he would portray. The presidential biography also featured Blair Brown in the role of first lady Jacqueline Onassis.
10of 21Martin Sheen and Charlie Sheen in Wall Street20th Century Fox Film Corp./Courtesy Everett CollectionSheen and his son Charlie — his only child to adopt “Sheen” as a stage name — joined forces in the 1987 drama,Wall Street. The younger Sheen portrays a young stockbroker navigating capital and corruption; naturally, Martin Sheen plays his father. (Also pictured: Michael Douglas as stockbroker Gordon Gekko.)
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Martin Sheen and Charlie Sheen in Wall Street
20th Century Fox Film Corp./Courtesy Everett Collection
Sheen and his son Charlie — his only child to adopt “Sheen” as a stage name — joined forces in the 1987 drama,Wall Street. The younger Sheen portrays a young stockbroker navigating capital and corruption; naturally, Martin Sheen plays his father. (Also pictured: Michael Douglas as stockbroker Gordon Gekko.)
11of 21Martin Sheen Gets a StarRon Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/GettySheen’s stardom was immortalized on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1989. Friends, family members, and collaborators came to celebrate Sheen’s moment.
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Martin Sheen Gets a Star
Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty
Sheen’s stardom was immortalized on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1989. Friends, family members, and collaborators came to celebrate Sheen’s moment.
12of 21Martin Sheen’s Son Gets a StarJim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty ImagesLike father, like son! In 1994, Charlie Sheen was also honored with a star on the Walk of Fame. The patriarch posed with his sons Charlie, left, and Emilio Estevez, who is also an actor.
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Martin Sheen’s Son Gets a Star
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Like father, like son! In 1994, Charlie Sheen was also honored with a star on the Walk of Fame. The patriarch posed with his sons Charlie, left, and Emilio Estevez, who is also an actor.
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Martin Sheen Plays a President Again
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Sheen’s co-stars included Allison Janney, Bradley Whitford, and Rob Lowe.
14of 21Martin Sheen at the Emmy AwardsSGranitz/WireImageSheen and Allison Janney celebratedThe West Wing’s first Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series in 2000. The series won the same award for four consecutive years.
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Martin Sheen at the Emmy Awards
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Sheen and Allison Janney celebratedThe West Wing’s first Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series in 2000. The series won the same award for four consecutive years.
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Martin Sheen at the SAG Awards
16of 21Martin Sheen’s Political ActivismAP Photo/Phil KleinIn October of 2000, Sheen protested military involvement in the exploration of outer space at the Vandenberg Air Force base,reported theLos Angeles Times.This was hardly Sheen’s first or last time standing up for his political beliefs.According to theDaily Mail, Sheen shared that he had been arrested 66 times, in a 2009 speech given at Oxford University.
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Martin Sheen’s Political Activism
AP Photo/Phil Klein
In October of 2000, Sheen protested military involvement in the exploration of outer space at the Vandenberg Air Force base,reported theLos Angeles Times.
This was hardly Sheen’s first or last time standing up for his political beliefs.According to theDaily Mail, Sheen shared that he had been arrested 66 times, in a 2009 speech given at Oxford University.
17of 21Martin Sheen in The DepartedWarner Bros/Kobal/ShutterstockSheen played Captain Queenan in Martin Scorsese’sThe Departed. He acted alongsideLeonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Jack Nicholson. The film took home the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2007.
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Martin Sheen in The Departed
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Sheen played Captain Queenan in Martin Scorsese’sThe Departed. He acted alongsideLeonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Jack Nicholson. The film took home the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2007.
18of 21Martin Sheen Returns to TheaterRyan Miller/GettyIn 2010, Sheen returned to the stage inThe Subject Was Roses —which coincidentally was one of the first shows he performed early in his career. After starring in the Pulitzer-winning play as Timmy Cleary in 1964, Sheen returned nearly 50 years later to play Timmy’s father, John Cleary.Sheen celebrated with his children after the show’s opening night in Los Angeles.
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Martin Sheen Returns to Theater
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In 2010, Sheen returned to the stage inThe Subject Was Roses —which coincidentally was one of the first shows he performed early in his career. After starring in the Pulitzer-winning play as Timmy Cleary in 1964, Sheen returned nearly 50 years later to play Timmy’s father, John Cleary.
Sheen celebrated with his children after the show’s opening night in Los Angeles.
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Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez Collaborate on The Way
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In 2012, Sheen and Estevez collaborated again with a joint memoir calledAlong the Way: The Journey of a Father and Son.
20of 21Martin Sheen at the Apocalypse Now 40th Anniversary ScreeningMichael Kovac/GettySheen revisited the career-defining film for its 40th anniversary at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2019. He attended the “Final Cut” special screening alongside co-star Laurence Fishburne and director Francis Ford Coppola.
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Martin Sheen at the Apocalypse Now 40th Anniversary Screening
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Sheen revisited the career-defining film for its 40th anniversary at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2019. He attended the “Final Cut” special screening alongside co-star Laurence Fishburne and director Francis Ford Coppola.
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Martin Sheen’s Most Recent Roles
Melissa Moseley/Netflix
From 2015 until 2022, Sheen portrayed Robert Hanson inGrace and Frankie, starring alongside Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Sam Waterston. The Netflix comedy revolves around two couples who fall apart — but come back together in a new way — when Sheen and Waterston’s characters reveal they have fallen in love and are leaving their wives.
source: people.com
