Career Timeline of Martin Sheen: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Martin Sheen built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Martin Sheen, born Ramón Gerard Antonio Estévez, is a highly acclaimed American actor with a career spanning over six decades in television and film. He has received numerous awards, including three Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and four Screen Actors Guild Awards, solidifying his place as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
11 hours ago : Martin Sheen regrets changing name, urged son Emilio Estevez to keep his.
Martin Sheen expressed deep regret over changing his name for his Hollywood career. He revealed he begged his son, Emilio Estevez, not to alter his name. Sheen wished he had maintained his birth name.
1973: Release of Badlands
In 1973, Martin Sheen starred in the movie Badlands, which was directed by Terrence Malick. This film was Sheen's breakthrough role.
1980: Support for Ted Kennedy
During the 1980 Democratic Party presidential primaries, Martin Sheen supported Senator Ted Kennedy and gave multiple speeches supporting him in Florida.
1987: Starring in Wall Street
In 1987, Martin Sheen and his son Charlie Sheen starred in the movie 'Wall Street' as father and son, marking a significant film in both of their careers.
1988: Endorsement of Jesse Jackson
In the 1988 presidential election, Martin Sheen endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Jesse Jackson, actively campaigning for him.
1989: Named honorary mayor of Malibu
In 1989, Martin Sheen was named honorary mayor of Malibu, California, and marked his appointment by declaring the area a nuclear-free zone and a sanctuary for aliens and the homeless. This decree angered some local citizens, but the Malibu Chamber of Commerce voted to retain him in June of 1989.
1993: Parody in Hot Shots! Part Deux
In 1993, Charlie Sheen and his father Martin Sheen parodied their roles in 'Hot Shots! Part Deux', referencing their previous roles in Wall Street.
1997: Narration of An Act of Conscience
In 1997, Martin Sheen narrated the documentary film 'An Act of Conscience,' which tells the story of war tax resisters Randy Kehler and Betsy Corner. The film highlights their protest against war and military spending by refusing to pay federal income taxes, leading to the IRS seizing their house.
2000: Involvement with gun control
In 2000, Martin Sheen became involved in gun control advocacy after the National Shooting Sports Foundation hired his brother Joe Estevez for a pro-gun commercial. Sheen opposed this and advocated for stricter gun control measures.
2000: Sheen/Estevez & Augsburger Scholarship Fund inception
Since its inception in 2000, The Sheen/Estevez & Augsburger Scholarship Fund has attracted more than $100,000 in scholarships in the arts for students in need at Wright State University.
September 2001: Hosted trip to 'The West Wing' set
In September 2001, Martin Sheen hosted a trip of donors to the set of "The West Wing" with the chair of Wright State University's Department of Theatre, Dance and Motion Pictures.
2001: Won TV Guide Award for 'Actor of the Year'
In 2001, Martin Sheen won a TV Guide Award for 'Actor of the Year in a Drama Series' for his role in The West Wing.
2003: Received Marquette University Degree
In 2003, Martin Sheen received the Marquette University Degree of Doctor of Letters, honoris causa, for his work on social and Catholic issues.
2003: Signing the "Not in My Name" declaration
In early 2003, Martin Sheen signed the "Not in My Name" declaration, opposing the invasion of Iraq. He joined prominent figures like Noam Chomsky and Susan Sarandon in this declaration, which appeared in The Nation magazine.
2004: Campaigning for Dean and Kerry
In 2004, Martin Sheen campaigned with Rob Reiner for Democratic presidential candidates Howard Dean and John Kerry, supporting their campaigns through various events and appearances.
August 28, 2005: Visit to Camp Casey
On August 28, 2005, Martin Sheen visited Camp Casey to pray with anti-Iraq War activist Cindy Sheehan, who was demanding a second meeting with President George W. Bush. Sheen addressed Sheehan's supporters, alluding to his role in The West Wing.
2006: Declining Senate offer
In 2006, members of the Democratic Party in Ohio contacted Martin Sheen to persuade him to run for the United States Senate. Sheen declined the offer, stating he felt unqualified.
2006: Criticism of Irish mushroom farmers
In 2006, while living in Ireland, Martin Sheen criticized Irish mushroom farmers for exploiting foreign workers by paying them below minimum wage, specifically €2.50 an hour, less than the country's minimum wage of €7.65.
2008: Opposing Initiative 1000
In 2008, Martin Sheen appeared in television and radio ads urging Washington state residents to vote "no" on Initiative 1000, a proposed assisted suicide law before voters.
2008: Attendance at Earth First! meetings
In 2008, Martin Sheen's activism included attending meetings of the environmentalist group Earth First! showing his commitment to environmental causes.
2008: Endorsement of Barack Obama
In the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election, Martin Sheen initially endorsed New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and helped raise funds for his campaign. After Richardson dropped out, Sheen supported Barack Obama.
2009: Appearance in Skin Trade
In 2009, Martin Sheen appeared in the anti-fur documentary 'Skin Trade', adding his voice to the cause against the fur industry.
2009: Meeting the Jewsons on the Camino de Santiago
In 2009, while walking the Camino de Santiago during the filming of 'The Way', Martin Sheen met Gary and Elizabeth Jewson, an Australian couple who had lost their daughter Melanie in a car accident. Inspired by Melanie's story, Sheen later became a patron of their foundation.
2010: Speech at We Day
In 2010, Martin Sheen first spoke to 18,000 young student activists at Free The Children's We Day, stating that "While acting is what I do for a living, activism is what I do to stay alive."
December 5, 2011: Meeting with Jon-Adrian Velazquez
On December 5, 2011, Martin Sheen met with Jon-Adrian Velazquez at Sing Sing Correctional Facility. Velazquez was wrongfully convicted for a 1998 murder. Later that day, Sheen held a press conference advocating for Velazquez's release, stating that the case "cries out for justice" and that Velazquez is innocent.
2011: Support for Michael D. Higgins
In 2011, Martin Sheen supported Michael D. Higgins, an alumnus of NUI Galway, in the Irish presidential election, emphasizing their friendship and his connection to Galway.
March 2012: Performance in 8
In March 2012, Martin Sheen and George Clooney performed in Dustin Lance Black's play '8', a reenactment of the federal trial that overturned California's Prop 8 ban on same-sex marriage. Sheen played attorney Theodore Olson. The production, held at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre and broadcast on YouTube, raised money for the American Foundation for Equal Rights.
March 30, 2012: Lawsuit Against SAG-AFTRA Merger
On March 30, 2012, following the merger of SAG and AFTRA to form SAG-AFTRA, Martin Sheen and other actors sued against the merger, claiming the election was improper. The lawsuit was later dropped several months later.
September 2012: Reunion for Michigan Ballot Video
In September 2012, Martin Sheen reunited with the cast of The West Wing to produce a video explaining Michigan's ballot. The video was a campaign ad for Bridget McCormack, a nonpartisan candidate for Michigan's Supreme Court.
2012: Appearance on Who Do You Think You Are?
In 2012, Martin Sheen appeared as a guest on the American version of 'Who Do You Think You Are?', where he traced his Irish and Galician ancestry.
2012: Becoming a Patron of Melanie Jewson Foundation
In 2012, Martin Sheen became a patron of the Melanie Jewson foundation, inspired by the story of Melanie who had died in a car accident. The foundation has since raised over A$250,000 for health and education systems in Vanuatu.
2012: Narration of Death by China documentary
In 2012, Martin Sheen narrated the feature-length documentary film 'Death by China', which was based on the Peter Navarro book and financed by Nucor steel corporation. Donald Trump has endorsed this documentary.
2012: Portrayal of Uncle Ben in The Amazing Spider-Man
In 2012, Martin Sheen portrayed Uncle Ben in The Amazing Spider-Man, directed by Marc Webb.
2012: Writing foreword to Citizen Lane
In 2012, Martin Sheen wrote a foreword to Mark Lane's autobiography, 'Citizen Lane', contributing to the book's promotion.
2013: Speaking appearances at We Day
From 2008 to 2013, Martin Sheen made speaking appearances at youth empowerment events called We Day on behalf of Free the Children, supporting their international charity and educational efforts.
May 3, 2015: Received honorary Doctor of Human Letters degree from the University of Dayton
On May 3, 2015, Martin Sheen received an honorary Doctor of Human Letters degree from the University of Dayton for his commitment to peace, social justice, and human rights.
2015: Narration of Don Siegelman documentary trailer
In 2015, Martin Sheen narrated the trailer for a proposed documentary film about the prosecution of former Alabama governor Don Siegelman.
May 6, 2023: Awarded honorary doctorate from Loyola Marymount University
On May 6, 2023, Loyola Marymount University conferred an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters upon Martin Sheen for his service that contributes to the public good and his contributions to igniting a brighter world.
2024: Support for Joe Biden
In 2024, Martin Sheen expressed his support for Joe Biden in the Democratic Party presidential primaries, continuing his involvement in political endorsements.
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