Why Is Charlie Sheen on Edge? 'He's Cash Poor,' Says Insider

By Rob Shuter Posted Mar 9th 2011 10:04AM

Newly out-of-work actor Charlie Sheen is making his public fight against his ex-bosses at CBS and Warner Bros. Television about defending his honor, but sources very close to the actor tell me the real reason is the guy is "cash poor" and desperately needs the money to maintain his vast, complicated estate.

"Charlie has earned an enormous amount of money with this show, but he has also spent a fortune and now finds himself in the very tricky position of being cash poor," an insider tells me. "Every penny he has is tied up in property or business dealings."

According to my source, what Charlie needs is cold hard cash and "that's why he's fighting so hard to try and get the $16 million he lost when CBS originally suspended production on the eight remaining episodes of this season."

See fans suggest who could be the next Charlie Sheen -- both on 'Two and a Half Men' and in the headlines:

Beware former "overlords," Charlie intends to fight to make sure he still gets a big paycheck if the show continues without him, which seems to be the case. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Warners execs and show boss Chuck Lorre are signaling that 'Men' will likely return in the fall. (They're mum on who will replace him.)

Charlie claims to have a so-called 'Michael J. Fox Clause' in his contract, referring to the fact that Michael still earned money from 'Spin City' even after he left the show (and was replaced by Charlie Sheen). Charlie's contract with 'Two and a Half Men' is reportedly based on a similar model, which is why he hopes the show continues without him.

"Charlie wants the show to continue as long as he gets paid," a friend of actor's tells me. "He would like nothing better than to earn money to stay home while someone else does the work."

► Sources: 'Two and a Half Men' Will Carry On Without Charlie Sheen

Another interesting kink in the show's future, via THR: "Existing deals with CBS and syndicators require both Sheen's and Lorre's participation in the show, but Warners execs believe those pacts could be renegotiated if Lorre agreed to return and the right cast came together. And one thing is certain: At least the initial ratings next season would be huge."

In the meantime, the enterprising star is also busy making deals to to put "Winning" and his other catchphrases on T-shirts to capitalize on his elevated profile these days.

I've also learned that Charlie is shopping an interview for $1 million, though since he's been giving them away for free for the past week and a half it's not clear what he could say that would be worth that kind of money!

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Charlie Sheen Snapshots

A hand-written note "To Ging, From one Druggie to Another. Love- C," by Charlie Sheen is inscribed on a page inside the 1991 Consumer Report, The Complete Drug Reference, a gift from Sheen to Porn star Ginger Lynn after her drug incarceration. (Lawrence K. Ho/Los Angeles Times/MCT)

MCT

Los Angeles Times

Charlie Sheen Snapshots

Porn star Ginger Lynn sits in her Woodland Hills, California home with gift items from actor Charlie Sheen she is about to auction off, March 4, 2011. Lynn used to date Sheen during the '90s. (Lawrence K. Ho/Los Angeles Times/MCT)

Charlie Sheen Snapshots

In this photo made Monday, March 7, 2011, television news crews wait across from the entrance to the Mulholland Estates gated community, where actor Charlie Sheen lives, on Mulholland Drive in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)

Charlie Sheen Snapshots

In this 1989 publicity image released by Paramount Pictures, clockwise from top left, Corbin Bernsen, Tom Berenger and Charlie Sheen are shown in a scene from "Major League." (AP Photo/Paramount Pictures)

Charlie Sheen Snapshots

In this publicity image released by Metro Goldwyn Mayer/Orion Pictures, top row from left, Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe, from bottom left, Francesco Quinn and Kevin Dillon is shown in a scene from "Platoon." (AP Photo/Metro Goldwyn Mayer/Orion Pictures)

Charlie Sheen Snapshots

©BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM After being fired from his hit television show "Two and a Half Men", Charlie Sheen and one of his "goddesses", Natalie Kenly, stand atop a roof while attending a meeting with Live Nation. Charlie drinks from a bottle of red liquid which has been altered to read "Tiger Blood" and wields a large knife. NON-EXCLUSIVE March 7, 2011 Job: 110307H8 Los Angeles, California www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com

Charlie Sheen Snapshots

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Tags: Charlie Sheen, Two and a Half Men

Comments

(386)

Wednesday 09 March

By gina

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If he's cash poor, maybe he should pimp out his goddesses.

By joseph

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We pay more attention to the loud guy than the quiet guy but it's the quiet guy we need to watch. Charlie is workin' it! He brilliant and moody.

By cindy

Look I have been a fan of charlie sheen's since I was 14, the man definately has issues. But if everyone keeps watching him on the web and listening to him on the radio you are all enabling him. STOP IT!!

The next thing that everyone is going to hear is that he is gone what will everyone say then? Poor Charlie?

Leave him be and hopefully he can get the help he needs when he is ready to get it. And if not then its on him and no one else. Please remember people he has children and they do love him.

By Pat Scott

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What he needs? He needs his father to lock him in a room for a week.

By fschlo1174

Charlie and Lindsey need to marry each other and implode.

By derob

THE REAL VULTURES HERE ARE THE OVERPAID, DISGUSTING MEDIA WHICH INCLUDES ENTERTAINMENT TONITE, TMZ, THE TODAY SHOW AND THE REST OF THE WRETCHED GLOP, THAT LATCH ONTO ANY TRAIN WRECK TO GET RATINGS....CHARLIE SHEEN IS A SMART GUY WHO NEEDS TO GET HIS LIFE IN ORDER....THESE "PROGRAMS" THAT LIVE ON GOSSIP AND ACT LIKE THEY ARE DOING SOMETHING "MEANINGFUL" ARE THE REAL GROTESQUE DISPLAYS OF IDIOCY....

By fichtner

Charlie should be replaced by his half brother Amillio Estavez. he he he They hate each other anyway.

By bob

why do these people feel the need to help make excuses for this guy? he is a flaming nut and is likely on his way down and into
an O.D. in a cheap motel room and hollywood and its campfollowers
are just along for the ride.

By Deb

John Stamos and Rob Lowe are to obviously handsome, need someone not so "pretty" Still voting for Matt LeBlac (Joey from friends)
HOW YOU DOING

By bob parks

That Friends show sucked beyond belief. A bunch of 30-somethings acting like 14 year old children. Totally ridiculous.

By johnny

Michael J Fox had PArkinson's Disease. It's just a litle different than a self induced condition like Charlie and his father has been spinning for im, his addiction. So what. Your an addict, you lose everything and everyone, that's the price you pay. If you're lucky it won't cost you your life.

By juan

I do believe the show will fissle out because he made the show go

By Taylor

So when he dies from an overdose, everyone will say what a wonderful man, great dad, wonderful son, blah blah blah. What a "shame". His family will live fine on his ROYALTIES!!!!!! They dont need 2 million a month to survive. Shut up Charlie, your a LOSER. And you LOST everything,

Thursday 10 March

By Chery

He's not broke. Those prostitutes, um porn stars, wouldn't be living with him if he were.

By Guido

I will definitely watch the first show without C. but the second.........?

By GSFeldman

I originally thought he was a winnner with a winning cast and show Now I think he's the biggest loser I feel really sad for rest of the cast who's lives he's ruined

Friday 11 March

By Janine

I agree with you totally.

By Bill

Dennis Leary!!!!

Charlie needs to marry lindsey and Implode

By Jb

The producers should end the show so no payment for Charlie and do a spin off where Alan takes Berta with him and has a cousin move in with similar habits of the old charlie.

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