Charlie Sheen was an American film and television actor whose impressive career began in the early 1980s and spanned several decades, leaving a lasting mark on both cinema and TV. Over the years, Charlie Sheen became known for his dynamic performances in major hits like Platoon (1986), Wall Street (1987), and the wildly popular sitcom Two and a Half Men (CBS, 2003–2015). He also headlined the FX comedy series Anger Management (2012–2014), proving time and again that Charlie Sheen could adapt to different genres with charisma and flair.
Born in New York City and raised in Malibu, Charlie Sheen seemed destined for the spotlight. His father, Martin Sheen, was a legendary actor, and his mother, Janet, had strong artistic leanings too—so it’s no surprise that Charlie Sheen was drawn to acting at a young age. Alongside his older brother Emilio, who would later carve out his own successful acting career, Charlie Sheen spent his childhood making Super 8 films. They even roped in friends like Sean Penn and Rob Lowe to play roles in their homemade movies. Acting quickly consumed Charlie Sheen’s life—so much so that his school performance suffered. Eventually, he was expelled from Santa Monica High School, but rather than seeing it as a setback, Charlie Sheen viewed it as a turning point that freed him to focus entirely on his craft.
By his late teens, Charlie Sheen was already landing significant roles in films such as Red Dawn (1984), The Boys Next Door (1985), and Lucas (1986), earning him recognition as one of the most promising young actors of his era. A major breakthrough came in 1986 when director Oliver Stone cast Charlie Sheen as the lead in Platoon, a powerful Vietnam War drama. The film went on to win four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, solidifying Charlie Sheen’s place in Hollywood. Stone called on Charlie Sheen again the following year for Wall Street (1987), where his portrayal of a young, ambitious stockbroker further elevated his status to A-list stardom.
As the 1990s rolled in, Charlie Sheen began exploring more comedic territory. He starred in lighthearted films like Men at Work (1990), which featured his real-life brother Emilio, the spoof hit Hot Shots! (1991), and The Three Musketeers (1993). These roles showcased a different side of Charlie Sheen—one with sharp timing and a knack for satire. Then, in the early 2000s, Charlie Sheen transitioned into television, stepping into Michael J. Fox’s shoes on the ABC sitcom Spin City (1996–2002) after Fox stepped down due to his Parkinson’s diagnosis. Playing Charlie Crawford during the show’s final two seasons helped Charlie Sheen reconnect with mainstream audiences.
But it was in 2003 that Charlie Sheen truly found his sitcom stride. Cast as Charlie Harper—a womanizing jingle writer—on CBS’s Two and a Half Men, Charlie Sheen led the show to massive success. It became one of the most-watched comedies on network TV, running for eight seasons with Charlie Sheen at the helm. However, behind the scenes, things grew turbulent. In 2011, after entering rehab for the third time in a single year, Charlie Sheen made public comments criticizing the show’s creator, Chuck Lorre. The fallout led CBS to suspend production and ultimately terminate Charlie Sheen’s contract. The network brought in Ashton Kutcher to fill the void, marking the end of an era.
Despite the controversy, Charlie Sheen wasn’t out of the spotlight for long. In 2012, he returned to television as the star of Anger Management on FX. The series, based loosely on the 2003 film, ran for 100 episodes over two years, once again demonstrating Charlie Sheen’s enduring appeal as a leading man. Then, in 2015, Charlie Sheen made headlines for deeply personal reasons—he publicly revealed that he was HIV positive. He shared that he had been diagnosed four years earlier and had been managing the virus with a combination of medications. His candid announcement sparked widespread discussion and brought renewed attention to HIV awareness.
In 2017, Charlie Sheen took on a dramatic role in the film 9⁄11, starring alongside Whoopi Goldberg and Gina Gershon. The movie, based on a stage play, focused on the events inside a World Trade Center elevator during the September 11 attacks. It marked another chapter in Charlie Sheen’s diverse career—one that continued to evolve despite personal challenges and public scrutiny. Through ups and downs, Charlie Sheen remained a prominent figure in entertainment, with a legacy shaped by talent, resilience, and an unmistakable presence on screen.
Well, when it comes to Charlie Sheen’s filmography, things get a bit interesting. If you look at the numbers and reviews over the years, it turns out that Charlie Sheen’s highest rated movie is actually Being John Malkovich from 1999—a critically acclaimed film that really stood out, even though Charlie Sheen wasn’t the lead. It’s kind of surprising, but true—Charlie Sheen was part of that project, and it ended up being the most praised film associated with him. On the flip side, fast forward to 2013, and we’ve got Scary Movie V, which, let’s be honest, didn’t quite hit the mark. That one turned out to be Charlie Sheen’s lowest rated movie by a noticeable margin. So overall, when you compare the two ends of the spectrum, Charlie Sheen has experienced both critical highs and some not-so-great moments in his acting career. Charlie Sheen definitely had better roles, and Being John Malkovich remains a standout moment linked to Charlie Sheen’s name.