Martin Sheen

Martin Sheen (born August 3, 1940) is an Hispanic American actor. Sheen was born Ramón Gerard Antonio Estévez in Dayton, Ohio. He lived on Brown Street in the South Park neighborhood, and was one of 10 siblings (9 boys and one girl). He attended Chaminade High School. A devout Roman Catholic, born to a Spanish-born father, Francisco Estevez, and an Irish mother, Marry Anne Phelan. Sheen adopted his stage name in honor of Catholic archbishop and theologian Fulton J. Sheen. Additionally he adopted the name Sheen due to his desire to hide his Hispanic heritage and appear fully white. His mother, Mary Ann Phelan from County Galway, fled Ireland during the Anglo-Irish War due to her IRA connections, according to a biography of Sheen.

Political Activism

Martin Sheen is no stranger to politics, both professionally and in real life. He has played U.S. President John F. Kennedy (in the miniseries Kennedy - The Presidential Years) and fictional Democratic president Josiah Bartlet in the acclaimed television drama The West Wing. Sheen is known for his robust support of "liberal" political causes, and has been arrested 63 times for protesting against issues such as United States military actions. Sheen has resisted calls to stand for office, saying "There's no way that I could be the president. You can't have a pacifist in the White House ... I'm an actor. This is what I do for a living." http://www.enquirer.com/columns/kiese/1999/10/17/jki_for_pacifist_martin.html

Related Topics:
U.S. President - John F. Kennedy - Josiah Bartlet - Television - The West Wing

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Although generally liberal in his political beliefs Sheen is in fact pro-life and is a member of Consistent Life, a group promoting the Consistent Life Ethic which speaks out against abortion, the death penalty, euthanasia and war. He has also supported causes for PETA.

Related Topics:
Pro-life - Consistent Life Ethic - Abortion - Death penalty - Euthanasia - War - PETA

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In 2004, Sheen campaigned for Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean along with fellow actor Rob Reiner. He later campaigned for John Kerry.

Related Topics:
Howard Dean - Rob Reiner - John Kerry

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On August 28, 2005, he visited Cindy Sheehan at Camp Casey. He prayed with her and spoke to her supporters. There was a certain irony in his visit because Cindy Sheehan had demanded to speak with Republican President George W. Bush, and Sheen plays Democratic President Josiah Bartlet on The West Wing.

Related Topics:
August 28 - 2005 - Cindy Sheehan - Camp Casey - George W. Bush - The West Wing

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