Martin, Janet and Charlie Sheen.Photo:Starstock/Photoshot/Everett Collection
Starstock/Photoshot/Everett Collection
Acting runs inCharlie Sheen’s family.
Born on Sept. 3, 1965, theTwo and a Half Menactor is the son ofJanetandMartin Sheen.
Martin (whose real name is Ramón Antonio Gerardo Estévez) is an Ohio native, born in Dayton to immigrant parents: a mom from Ireland and a dad from Spain. Janet was also born in Dayton, though grew up in Cincinnati.
Despite sharing a home state, the pair didn’t meet until years later following their respective moves to New York City. Shortly after, they tied the knot and began to expand their family.
Each of the Sheen/Estevez siblings followed in their parents' footsteps and pursued a career in entertainment. Of their four children, however, Charlie is the only one who chose to take the Sheen stage name professionally.
When asked if he thought his children would get the acting bug, Martinsaid in an interviewthat he “didn’t have any idea that the kids were at all interested.” He explained, “I was focused on the work and the travel and the commitment and the need to make a living so I wasn’t really aware of their interest in becoming a part of it. I was always surprised.”
Read on for what to know about Sheen’s parents, Martin and Janet Sheen.
Martin Sheen has received many accolades for his acting career
Martin Sheen attends the screening of “Molly’s Game” in 2017.Michael Kovac/Getty
Martin Sheen is an acclaimed actor who’s appeared in numerous titles across television and film. He’s received three Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award and four Screen Actors Guild Awards for his work that spans six decades.
In addition to film, Martin boasts a successful career in television. His role as fictional Democratic president Josiah “Jed” Bartlet in NBC’s drama,The West Wing, is among his most notable — of which he earned a Golden Globe award for best actor and six Primetime Emmy nods for outstanding lead actor.
Janet Sheen is an actress and producer
Martin Sheen and Janet Sheen attend the screening of ‘The Incident’ in 2017.Stefanie Keenan/Getty
Stefanie Keenan/Getty
Like her husband, Janet is in the entertainment industry as an actor and producer.
They’ve been married for over six decades
Martin Sheen and wife Janet Sheen.Albert L. Ortega/WireImage
Albert L. Ortega/WireImage
Martin and Janet are both Ohio natives, though they met each other in New York City in the early 1960s. Martin relocated to N.Y.C. to pursue a career in theater and Janet moved to study art at the New School.
“I was there for 10 years. Jan and I met there, were married there, and all our children were born there," Martin recalled of the city when speaking withCloser Weeklyin 2022. “Those 10 years were vital in my life as a husband, father, an activist and an actor.”
The pair wed in a 15-minute ceremony in 1961. “I couldn’t have imagined a more perfect day,” Martin wrote of their wedding in his dual memoir,Along the Way: The Journey of a Father and Son(co-written with Emilio).
Martin tried to pinpoint the secret to their long-lasting marriage, though couldn’t quite find the words. “I haven’t a clue,” he toldThe Guardianin 2011. “I really don’t. I’ve never met a person with more integrity in my life, though … It’s taken me a long time to be as even and direct with her as she has been, always, with me.”
Martin changed his name due to prejudices in the industry
The actor has opened up about why he changed his name from Ramón Antonio Gerardo Estévez to Martin Sheen in the past. However, he further explains his reasoning during an episode ofThe Thread, titled “Martin Sheen: Lights, Camera, Activism.”
“I had difficulty with my name because there was a lot of prejudice against Hispanics, but it was the Puerto Rican community. They were the blame for everything. They were the new immigrants,” Martin says in the episode released on YouTube in March 2024.
“That was the racist attitude in New York at the time — and so I was considered, with my name, Puerto Rican. So, if I’d be on the phone or in any other context without seeing my mug, I was considered Puerto Rican,” he continues. “I thought, ‘Oh God. I’ve got enough trouble trying to get a job as an actor.’ So that’s why I chose Sheen.
Martin said he decided on his last name because he “was fascinated” with Bishop Fulton J. Sheen, who was considered among the first televangelists in the 1950s. “So, as much to honor his presence, I just started using ‘Sheen.'”
They have four children
Martin Sheen poses with his family Emilio Estevez, Ramon Estevez, Charlie Sheen and Renee Estevez backstage after the opening night performance of “The Subject Was Roses” in February 2010.Ryan Miller/Getty
Martin and Janet are the parents of four children, three sons and one daughter. They welcomed their first child, son Emilio Estevez, less than six months after they got married in May 1962.
Emilio told Jon Fossthat his siblings were close when they were young, forming strong bonds as they traveled together while their dad filmed movies around the world. “We’re a pretty tight unit,” he said.
They ultimately followed in their parents' acting footsteps, becoming performers in their own right. Having all worked in front of and behind the camera, Emilio once toldBobbie Wygantthat they “share a lot of the same characteristics.”
When speaking of his kids in an interview withRoute Magazine, Martin once said that he and Janet “love them all equally, but differently.” He explained, “Each one has different needs and you have individual relationships with each one and you have a family relationship with the whole.”
Martin Sheen has acted alongside Charlie Sheen
Charlie Sheen and Martin Sheen in 1990’s Cadence.New Line Cinema/courtesy Everett Collection
New Line Cinema/courtesy Everett Collection
While Martin and Janet’s children went on to pursue their own acting careers, they’ve allworked alongside their famous father— with Emilio and Charlie becoming household names in their own right.
Charlie has appeared in several projects with his father, with 1990’sCadencebeing among the most notable. Martin directed the historical prison film and played the role of Otis V. McKinney opposite Charlie in the role of Franklin Fairchild Bean. Ramon also appeared in the movie as Gerald Gessner.
They are grandparents
Martin and Janet Sheen with their son, Charlie Sheen, at the 1990 Cannes Film Festival.Starstock/Photoshot/Everett Collection
Martin and Janet’s family has expanded over the years. They now have 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Emilio and his ex-girlfriend, Carey Salley, share two kids, son Taylor and daughter Paloma, as well as a grandchild. Ramon has three adult children: Katherine, Christopher and Luis Jr.
Charlie is a father of five. He shares two daughters,SamiandLola Rose, with ex-wifeDenise Richards, and two sons, twins Max and Bob, with ex-wifeBrooke Mueller. He also has a grandchild, Luna, from his eldest daughter, Cassandra Estevez, whom he shares with his high school girlfriend, Paula Speert.
Martin opened up to PEOPLE in June 2021 aboutCharlie’s brood, saying, “He’s very involved with his family, his children and grandchildren.”
source: people.com
