The actor Martin Sheen celebrates 84
The Spanish Irish origin actor Martin Sheen got worldwide famous for his role as Captain Benjamin L. Willard in Coppola’s 1979 “Apocalypse Now”
The actor Martin Sheen celebrates 84
Martin Sheen, born Ramón Antonio Gerardo Estévez on August 3, 1940, in Dayton, Ohio, is the son of Francisco Estévez, a Spanish immigrant, and Mary-Ann Phelan, an Irish immigrant. Raised in a large Catholic family, Sheen was one of ten children. His early life was marked by struggles, including his father’s unemployment and his mother’s death when he was just eleven years old. Despite these challenges, deeply inspired by James Dean, Sheen developed a passion for acting, which he pursued relentlessly, often clashing with his father’s wishes.
Sheen moved to New York City in his early twenties to pursue acting, adopting the stage name Martin Sheen to gain more opportunities. His break came in 1963 with a role in the Broadway play “The Subject Was Roses,” which he later reprised in the 1968 film adaptation. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Sheen built a solid career with roles in television series and films. Notable early works include “The Outer Limits,” “Mission: Impossible,” and “The Incident” (1967).
During the 197’s he also appeared on the TV Series “Hawaii Five-O” (1970), “Columbo” (1973), and “The Streets of San Francisco” (1973) and also on the Emmy Award-winning 1972 television film “That Certain Summer”, said to be the first television movie in America to portray homosexuality in a sympathetic light.
Sheen’s major breakthrough came with his role in the 1973 television movie “The Execution of Private Slovik,” which earned him critical acclaim. However, it was his performance as Captain Benjamin Willard in Francis Ford Coppola’s “Apocalypse Now” (1979) that catapulted him to international stardom. The film, a harrowing depiction of the Vietnam War, is considered one of the greatest films ever made, and Sheen’s intense performance was central to its impact.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Sheen continued to work steadily in both film and television. He appeared in films such as “Gandhi” (1982), “Wall Street” (1987), and “The American President” (1995). His versatility as an actor allowed him to play a wide range of characters, from complex dramatic roles to lighter, comedic parts.
Sheen’s career reached new heights with his role as President Josiah Bartlet in the acclaimed television series “The West Wing” (1999-2006). His portrayal of the idealistic and principled U.S. President earned him a Golden Globe Award and two Screen Actors Guild Awards, solidifying his place as a beloved figure in American television.
Martin Sheen married Janet Templeton in 1961, and the couple has four children: Emilio, Ramón, Carlos (professionally known as Charlie Sheen), and Renée. All of their children followed in their father’s footsteps, pursuing careers in the entertainment industry.
In a speech at Oxford University in 2009, Sheen stated that he had been arrested 66 times for protesting and acts of civil disobedience advocating for causes such as human rights, environmental protection, and peace. His political activism and commitment to social justice including his outspoken support of liberal political causes, such as opposition to United States military action and other causes is deeply rooted in his Catholic faith and his belief in nonviolent resistance.
On April 1, 2007, Sheen was arrested, with 38 other activists, for trespassing at the Nevada Test Site at a Nevada Desert Experience event protesting against the site. He has stated that “While acting is what I do for a living, activism is what I do to stay alive.”
Look back at the iconic opening scene of the 1979 movie “Apocalypse Now” featuring Martin Sheen
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