10 fun and interesting Martin Sheen facts

1. Actor who changed his name to stand out from the crowd

Martin Sheen, born Ramon Antonio Gerard Estevez, is an acclaimed actor who has been in the entertainment industry for over five decades. He began his career in the 1960s, and in order to stand out from the crowd, he decided to shorten his name to Martin Sheen. Since then, he has starred in numerous films and television shows, including Apocalypse Now, The West Wing, and The Departed. He has been nominated for several awards, including an Academy Award, and has won a Golden Globe Award.

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2. Political Actor

Martin Sheen is no stranger to playing political characters in the White House. He has appeared in a variety of films and television shows, including the iconic "The West Wing", "The Dead Zone", "Kennedy", "The Missiles of October", "Blind Ambition" and "The American President". His performances in these projects have earned him critical acclaim and a place in the hearts of many fans.

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3. Martin Sheen's Sons Shine in Film and Television

Martin Sheen is a renowned actor who has passed on his talent to his sons, Charlie Sheen and Emilio Estevez. Both of his sons have achieved great success in the film and television industry, with Charlie Sheen starring in hit shows such as Two and a Half Men and Emilio Estevez appearing in films such as The Breakfast Club and The Mighty Ducks. Martin Sheen has been a proud father to his sons, watching them grow into the stars they are today.

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4. Martin Sheen Lost Godfather Role

Martin Sheen famously auditioned for the role of Michael Corleone in the 1972 classic, The Godfather, but unfortunately, he was not chosen for the part. Despite his impressive performance, the role ultimately went to Al Pacino, who went on to become one of the most iconic characters in cinematic history. Sheen's audition was so impressive, however, that he was later cast in the sequel, The Godfather Part II, as the young Don Vito Corleone.

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5. Actor, Activist

In 2001, Martin Sheen was arrested for trespassing onto an Air Force base while protesting the US's construction of a missile defense system. As a result, he was put on three years of probation after pleading guilty to the charge. His activism was a testament to his commitment to social justice, and his willingness to take a stand against what he believed was wrong.

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6. Defying the Odds in Acting

Martin Sheen was born with a birth defect that resulted in his left arm being 3 inches shorter than his right. This condition, known as hemihypertrophy, is caused by an imbalance in the growth of the two sides of the body. Despite this, Sheen has gone on to have a successful career in acting, appearing in films such as Apocalypse Now and The Departed.

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7. Activist and Voice for Social Justice

Martin Sheen is an outspoken advocate for social justice and has been arrested over 70 times since 2013 for his activism. He has been a vocal opponent of the Iraq War, nuclear weapons, and the death penalty, and has been arrested for protesting at the White House, the Pentagon, and the Supreme Court. He has also been arrested for civil disobedience at the Nevada Test Site and for participating in a sit-in at the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington, D.C. His commitment to social justice has been unwavering, and he continues to be a powerful voice for change.

8. Martin Sheen's Sinatra Collection

Martin Sheen is an avid music lover, particularly of the legendary Frank Sinatra. He has an impressive repertoire of Sinatra songs, having memorized the lyrics to every single one of the crooner's tunes. His passion for singing has been a lifelong pursuit, and he has been known to break out into a Sinatra tune at any given moment.

9. Martin Sheen's Heart Attack Changed His Life

In 1979, while filming the iconic movie "Apocalypse Now", Martin Sheen suffered a severe heart attack that almost cost him his life. The actor was rushed to the hospital and was in critical condition for several days. Fortunately, he was able to make a full recovery and continue his career in Hollywood. The incident was a wake-up call for Sheen, who changed his lifestyle and began to take better care of his health.

10. Flunked Exam to Chase Dream

Martin Sheen had a different plan for his future than his parents had in mind. Despite his parents' wishes for him to attend the University of Dayton, Sheen was determined to pursue a career in acting. To ensure he wouldn't be accepted into the school, he purposely flunked his entrance exam, thus allowing him to pursue his dream of becoming an actor.