Born Ramón Gerardo Antonio Estévez on August 3, 1940, the actor later adopted a different professional name. He is widely recognized for his performances in “The Subject Was Roses” and “Badlands.” However, he achieved major fame in 1979 when he played the lead role of Captain Benjamin Willard in “Apocalypse Now.” His career accomplishments include multiple Emmy, SAG, and Golden Globe Awards, marking him as one of America’s most celebrated actors.

This renowned actor was born to immigrant parents—an Irish mother, Mary-Ann Phelan, and a Spanish father, Francisco Estévez Martínez. They met while attending citizenship school in Ohio. He was born in Dayton, Ohio, as one of ten children, and his birth was complicated, leaving his left arm paralyzed for some time. Despite these early challenges, he didn’t view his family as poor, and losing his mother before he turned 11 helped him become strong and appreciative of his father.

As a young boy, his love for movies sparked the idea that he would one day become an actor. During high school, he worked as a caddy to support his family. Though not academically inclined, he found passion in the dramatics club and received mentorship from Father Alfred Drapp, who even loaned him money to pursue his dream in New York.

After moving to New York, he realized his birth name was a barrier to his acting career, as people had trouble pronouncing it. He eventually chose his stage name, Martin Sheen, after being inspired by CBS casting director Robert Dale Martin and Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, though he retained his original name on official documents.

Martin later met Janet Sheen (née Templeton), a fellow Ohio native, and they married on December 23, 1961. The wedding was a simple affair, followed by a modest breakfast with friends. Early in their marriage, financial struggles were constant. They were even evicted at one point, moving in with Martin’s family for a while. Their second child, Ramón, was born in their apartment before they could reach the hospital due to the rapidness of the delivery, but both mother and child were fine.

While filming “Apocalypse Now” in the Philippines, Martin suffered a heart attack, and it was his wife Janet who helped him through this difficult time. Her presence provided him with emotional and physical support, helping him recover. Despite surviving the heart attack, Martin admitted that it broke him emotionally, but Janet stood by him throughout the ordeal. Her steadfastness helped Martin recognize the need to take responsibility for his health and life.

In 2015, Martin underwent quadruple-bypass surgery, and Janet was again by his side, keeping his spirits up. She had always been the grounding force in his life, especially during his struggles with alcoholism and other personal issues. Even though it took him a decade to get sober after his heart attack, he credits Janet’s unwavering support for helping him through.

The couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary during the COVID-19 pandemic. Reflecting on their long marriage, Martin attributed their success to Janet’s honesty and integrity. He often joked that he married the “scariest” woman he’d ever met, appreciating her for keeping him grounded. Over the years, their family had developed a tradition of staying together, even pulling the children out of school when Martin’s filming took him away from home.

As a father, Martin Sheen is supportive of his children, all of whom followed in his acting footsteps. Emilio Estevez became a successful director and producer, Ramón is an actor and theater director, Carlos (known as Charlie Sheen) found fame on television, and Renée pursued a career in acting and screenwriting. Martin never imagined that his children would pursue the same path, but he was proud of their individual accomplishments. Despite their connections, he made sure they earned their roles based on talent, not favoritism.