Aurora Starchild
Martin Sheen’s real name isn’t Martin Sheen, and now he regrets using the stage name. In an exclusive interview with Closer Weekly, Sheen—whose real name is Ramon Estévez—talks about his choice to use the alias and why he wishes he hadn’t.
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Martin Sheen’s parents were both immigrants. His mother hailed from Ireland and his father was from Spain. But, presumably because of the historical racism and judgement that immigrants have faced worldwide, Sheen changed his name.
Martin Sheen says he got into acting at a young age, beginning with live theatre. He also reveals that his father wanted him to pursue more scholarly activities rather than become an actor.
On the name change, Sheen says that it’s all just been for show.
“That’s one of my regrets. I never changed my name officially. It’s still Ramon Estévez on my birth certificate. It’s on my marriage license, my passport, driver’s license. Sometimes you get persuaded when you don’t have enough insight or even enough courage to stand up for what you believe in, and you pay for it later. But, of course, I’m only speaking for myself.”
Sheen has two sons, both who became actors themselves. One, of course, is Charlie Sheen. The other, Emilio, kept the last name of Estévez.
Unlike Martin’s father, he never discouraged his sons Charlie and Emilio from getting into acting. He says that the one bit of advice he gave was regarding his name.
“The only influence I had on Emilio was to keep his name,” Sheen says. “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.”
Emilio Estévez is the older brother of Charlie Sheen. He bears a striking resemblance to Charlie and Martin. He’s been in many films, the most popular likely being the Mighty Ducks franchise.
Read the full interview with Closer Weekly here.
