This talented actor rose to prominence in 1979 with his unforgettable portrayal of Captain Benjamin Willard in Apocalypse Now. With multiple Emmy, SAG, and Golden Globe awards to his name, he is regarded as one of America’s most successful and dynamic performers.
Growing up, he never considered his family to be poor since those around him lived under similar circumstances. Though life was challenging, losing his mother before turning eleven shaped his resilience, strengthened his patience, and deepened his appreciation for his father.
At the age of six or seven, Martin Sheen discovered his love for movies, and it slowly became clear that acting was his true calling.
During high school, he worked as a caddy at an exclusive golf club in Dayton, Ohio. This job not only helped support his father but also led to some unforgettable experiences. He actively participated in school plays, though his real passion lay solely in the drama club. One of his biggest supporters was Father Alfred Drapp, who provided him with financial assistance to travel to New York and pursue his dreams.
Martin made his theatrical debut as a freshman, playing a yeoman court stenographer in Herman Wouk’s The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial. However, upon moving to New York in his early twenties, he realized his given name was a barrier to establishing himself in the acting world, as many struggled to pronounce it.
He adopted the stage name Martin Sheen by combining the names of two influential figures: CBS casting director Robert Dale Martin and American archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. Despite the change, he continued using his birth name on official documents.
Martin’s wife, Janet Sheen, was born Janet Elizabeth Templeton in Ohio on July 8, 1944. A producer with a couple of acting credits, she is best known for her roles in Kennedy, Beverly Hills Brats, and The Way.
The couple first crossed paths in the winter of 1960 when Janet moved from Ohio to New York. As the only child of an unmarried mother, she spent her first six years being raised by her grandparents in Kentucky.
Their love story took an unconventional turn when they spontaneously hosted a breakfast gathering with a dozen friends from the Living Theatre at a local Jewish deli. It was a perfect day for them.
However, financial struggles forced them to leave their home. Packing their belongings into a suitcase, they moved in with Martin’s father and brothers before eventually finding an affordable apartment in the same building where Paul Newman had once rented.
They lived there for two years, and during that time, their second son, Ramón, arrived unexpectedly. The birth happened so quickly that they couldn’t make it to the hospital in time, forcing them to deliver the baby themselves. Janet experienced heavy bleeding when the baby became trapped in the birth canal, and he was born just before Martin could call for an ambulance.
As she informed Martin that the placenta was ready to come out, he mistakenly thought they were having twins. Fortunately, when they arrived at the hospital, both mother and baby were declared healthy.
While filming Apocalypse Now in the Philippines, Martin suffered a heart attack and lost a significant amount of weight. His wife played a crucial role in his recovery. After being rushed to Manila’s Makati Medical Center, Janet whispered to him as he was wheeled down the corridor, “It’s just a movie.” That simple remark resonated deeply with Martin, helping him regain his strength and further deepening their connection.
In the aftermath of his heart attack, Martin found himself emotionally vulnerable. “I completely fell apart,” he admitted. “My soul was laid bare. I cried a lot. My beard and eyes turned gray.” Through it all, Janet remained by his side, sleeping on the floor in his critical care unit.
Determined to heal, Martin knew he had to take responsibility for his health. Janet continued to support him, often making him laugh and reminding him not to be too hard on himself. After undergoing quadruple bypass surgery in December 2015, he credited her presence and humor for keeping his spirits up. Though he faced numerous struggles, including alcoholism, it wasn’t until a decade after his first heart attack that he finally achieved sobriety.
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Martin and Janet celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. When asked about the secret to their long-lasting marriage, he quipped, “I was lucky to marry the scariest woman I’d ever met.” He later added, “She once told me staying married to me was impossible.”
Despite their differences, Martin always valued his wife’s honesty, believing it kept him grounded and strengthened their marriage. He admired her straightforward nature, even though it took him years to match her level-headedness. “She’s the most honest person I’ve ever met,” he admitted. “I still can’t quite keep up with her.”
Together, they raised four children—Emilio, Ramón, Carlos (better known as Charlie Sheen), and Renée. Martin remained a devoted father, supporting their ambitions. Emilio followed in his father’s footsteps, becoming a successful producer, director, and screenwriter, gaining fame as part of the “Brat Pack” in the 1980s.
Through ups and downs, Martin and Janet’s enduring love, unwavering support, and shared experiences have defined their remarkable journey together.