Hollywood names often hide fascinating stories, and the tale of Martin Sheen and his sons is no exception! Did you know that Martin Sheen, born Ramón Estévez, actually begged his son Emilio Estévez not to change his last name? It's a surprising twist in a family deeply rooted in the acting world.
The West Wing star, now 85 years old, revealed this interesting tidbit on the Happy Sad Confused podcast. He shared that he didn't want Emilio, his eldest son with Janet Sheen, to follow in his footsteps and adopt a stage name at the beginning of his acting career.
"I remember when my children started coming into the profession and they were deciding whether or not to use Estévez," Martin recalled. He explained that Emilio was considering changing his last name to Sheen. But when Emilio saw "Emilio Sheen" written out, he realized it didn't quite fit. Martin admitted, "And frankly, I begged him to keep it."
This decision was a significant one, especially considering Martin's own journey. Martin's other children, Ramón Estévez and Renée Estévez, also chose to use their birth names throughout their careers. However, Charlie Sheen, followed his father's lead and adopted a stage name, although he briefly went by his birth name, Carlos Estévez, in the 2013 film Machete.
But here's where it gets controversial... Martin, while proud of his children's success, harbors a deep regret about changing his own name. He explained that when he started acting in 1959 in New York City, having a Hispanic surname wasn't an advantage. He faced prejudice against the Puerto Rican community and felt the need to become more anonymous.
He added, "Officially I’ve never changed my name. I’m still Ramón Gerard Antonio Estévez, and I love my name.”
And this is the part most people miss... This story highlights the complex decisions actors sometimes face, balancing their heritage with the realities of the industry.
What do you think about Martin Sheen's decision to change his name? Do you agree with his regret? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
