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 Chris

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Who feels sorry for a guy that made, what 2 million a show? If he is broke, then he has no one else to blame but himself. Why am I still talking about this loser? Go away, the show was starting to get old anyway, I mean 2 and a HALF men, Jake is all grown up now, change the name to 3 MEN? I feel sorry for the cast, crew,,,, but not for Sheen. Never had, never will.

By bill

Vote down Vote up Report this

agreed. The half man doesn't make it.

Ditch Judith and the teen, let Alan inherit Chaz's money (after Charlie and Rose are killed on thier honeymoon. Let Rose do some "dead" cameos, but never speak Charlie's name agin.

By Dann O"nisko

Being in a position of popuarity and lots of money can screw up the best of us - given time. If you were open minded enough , you might under stand this. Don't judge unless you've been there, thus know better. I don't like the media for the way the handled this. they are always looking for a bloody story. Why don't they go out and find / GOONS ! ! ! ! ! !

PUT yourself in the other pesons place, before you judge them.
There by th graxw of GOD goes you. You could be sick, homeless, jobless, have no friends, no life.
SO BACK OFF DUDE ! !!@ !

By James Bond

Charlie is living the life that most men only dream about, if your a man and dont agree, your lying. Men is not the only job he has ever had, he is talented & intellegent, and he will get through this. Anyway my name is James Bond, who else would be more perfect for the job. One more note" now im wearing out the shoes that charlie wore, walking back and forth across the floor...." remember that old song

By Simone

Charlie go back into the closet and lock the door. There are people out there with families and can't find work and you being such a bum you are we don't need on any show. Probolem with so called stars are they make too much money and don't know they are lucky to be paid so much and the jerks demand more, like you Charlie.

By adeemas

Damn I cant turn on the TV or open AOL, yahoo or anything else without hearing about Sheen.
Whatever he is doing it is working. He is the most popular thing right now.
Well played, even if I think its a train wreck its boosted his popularity more than anything he has done thus far.

By bryguy

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Shouldn't the show be called two men if it were to continue without Sheen? In hind sight wasn't he the 1/2!

By tonya

John Travolta is my vote

By bob parks

Yes. Revolta da man.

By Jeanette Grayeb-Mihal

Charlie Sheen requires medical intervention at this point, and giving him all this publicity justs fuels the inappropriate behavior and enables him to be even more bizarre. Let's pray for his recovery instead of laughing at and/or critizing his antics. This is serious and no longer a joke. He has five children. Enough.

By shirl

charlie sheen is a worthless, low down pig,,,,,,,his picture never should be shown again,,,,,,,,,people aren't as interested as you all might think,we're sick of him

By DK

Oh yeah, what unit or military service was he in, we have American Soldiers dying everyday, Sorr y folks Charlie Sheen is NOBODY

By Hammilton

Please never, never Rob Lowe. he is one more loser who walks out of every show he was on and he demans more screen time and money. We would never watch that show if Rob was one. He not only walked out of Brothers and Sisters, but other shows.

By Brenda

Awww poor Charlie, lets all give him our money. What millions aren't enough for you??? He should be held accountable for his poor financial dealings just like the rest of us. He doesnt know how good he has it. All these Hollywood Stars are all the same, nothing is ever enough... from money to attention they all want more. I am so tired of hearing about this guy, so many other people to be concerned about.

By pat

Hey Charlie, its time to get out of the shadows you grew up in. Take responsibility and live your own life. Too much has been just given to you. Now you are seeing it being taken away by stupid imature behavior. Grow up Charlie..act your age!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Dave D.

Cash poor, thats not poor as most Americans know it.
He can just sell some investments or stock holdings..
And I wouldn't watch 'Men' with or without him..

Charlie has tainted television entertainment with too publicity for
his own gain from his wrongdoings.. that is so wrong.

By goggleplex

It would be nice if this self-absorbed ego-maniac would go away...not go away mad...just go away...His story has gotten old and it's time to move on !

By uacrack

he cant be that poor have you checked the price of tiger blood lately its sky high, email me if you want to buy some i bought the tiger that ate/bit Roy Horn so its good stuff, you can be a WINNER

By Kris

Seriously...in reality,who cares.And what Charlie needs...talent.Only reason he ever got parts in show biz is because his father Martin made a name for himself...riding on his fathers coat tails his entire career!

interesting............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.

what about a cousin or uncle moves in with habits of the old show odd couple?

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