Legendary actor Martin Sheen doesn’t have many regrets when it comes to his career, but not using his real name is definitely one of them…
Martin Sheen is a household name.
He began his career with roles in the movies The Subject Was Roses (1968) and Badlands (1973).
But he really came to prominence in Apocalypse Now.
Plus, his ongoing role in The West Wing.
He’s also taken home a Golden Globe and 2 SAG Awards.
And has worked with some big-name directors, including Francis FordCoppola, David Cronenberg, and Steven Spielberg.
Sheen has also directed one movie Cadence (1990).
He has also produced several documentaries, and worked in liberal politics, too.
Sheen married Janet Templeton in 1963.
The pair share 4 children, Emilio, Ramón, Carlos, and Renée.
You may actually know Carlos…
He’s better known as actor and internet sensation, Charlie Sheen!
Sheen is a true family man.
Sheen has a total of ten grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
It’s safe to say, Sheen has had a pretty prolific and successful life.
However, he has revealed that he has one major regret…
“This was common up until fairly recently actually. My brother changes his name because his was ‘too ethnic’ according to his agent. Boils down to doing whatever you thought you needed to in order to get into the business,” wrote one fan.
“It was a different time than now. I can almost promise you if he stayed with his birth name, he never would’ve achieved the success he received in his career. It would’ve ended too soon. It just shows what racism can do,” added another.
“He was also doing what he could to support family and build a career… and yeah the racism would have stopped his career no matter how great an actor he is and he is a great actor. But Emilio used his name and Charlie used his stage name and that shows even the next generation had to choose which way to go,” wrote a third.
“We know your heart. We wouldn’t have Marilynn Monroe either. You never forgot where you came from,” a fourth commented.
Just like many other Hollywood stars, Sheen felt pressured into changing his name to ‘fit in’ with the aesthetic of the entertainment industry.
But it was a move he desperately wishes he never made.
The eighty-two-year-old has since spoken out about the move and why he feels so strongly about it now.
His thoughts on the matter even influenced his sons.
Sheen’s real name is Ramon Estévez, and before he started out in the acting business, he was advised to change it.
Speaking to Closer Weekly, he said: “That’s one of my regrets.”
“I never changed my name officially.
“It’s still Ramon Estévez on my birth certificate,” Sheen admitted.
He added: “I never changed my name officially.”
“It’s on my marriage license, my passport, driver’s license.”
So, why did he do it?
He later explained why he went ahead with the name change at the time.
“Sometimes you get persuaded when you don’t have enough insight or even enough courage to stand up for what you believe in,” he said.
Adding that “you pay for it later.”
“But, of course, I’m only speaking for myself,” he admitted.
Sheen also shared that his oldest son, Emilio Estévez, decided to keep his real name when entering the world of showbiz, despite his father’s decision.
“The only influence I had on Emilio was to keep his name.
“When he started out, his agent was advising him to change his name to Sheen and he wouldn’t do it. And I thank God he didn’t,” Sheen said.
However, despite Emilio keeping his name, Sheen’s youngest son, Charlie followed in his father’s footsteps.
Charlie Sheen is well known for his role in Two and a Half Men and has had a lot of success in his life.
For those of you that don’t know, his real name is Carlos Estevez.
People have shared their thoughts on Sheen’s revelation, with one social media user writing: “But regrettably, he may never have been as important a film presence as he became.”
Another commenter echoed: “Sadly and infuriatingly, he would not have been as successful. Thank goodness times are changing.”
“Wouldn’t have made it as big. Nothing to be sorry about. Many Hollywood stars changed their original names, mostly for the better,” a third wrote.
What do you think about his decision?