Martin Sheen: Charlie Is 'Emotionally Crippled'

By Sarah Crow Posted Mar 21st 2011 11:55AM

Martin Sheen has had a long and well-respected career in film and television, but it hasn't always been smooth sailing for the former 'West Wing' star.

In an interview with The Telegraph, Sheen opened up about his own demons and how they've allowed him to relate to his troubled son, Charlie.

"I know what hell he's living in," says Sheen. "I've had psychotic episodes in public. One of them was on camera -- the opening scene of 'Apocalypse Now.' So I know what Charlie is going through. And when you do something like that, that is out of control, that's the most difficult thing. You have to have courage."

Martin, who battled alcohol addiction and mental illness earlier in his career, says that, much like Charlie, his issues caused him to focus on himself rather than his family.

"I was so interested in myself, I didn't really focus on what [my kids'] needs were, or what their aspirations were," says Sheen.

The actor, who stars alongside his eldest son, Emilio Estevez, in the upcoming film 'The Way,' says that despite Charlie's success, he remains emotionally stunted from his addictions.

"You know, Charlie's 45 years old. He's not a kid," says Sheen. "Emotionally he still is. Because when you're addicted, you don't grow emotionally. So when you get clean and sober you're starting at the moment you started using drugs or alcohol. You're emotionally crippled."

Adds Estevez, "We all had the same set of rules, so it really gives credence to this theory that it is genetic, and that sometimes it skips either a generation or siblings. My mother doesn't drink. My other brother hasn't had a drink in over 10 years, my dad hasn't had a drink in 20. And I make wine."

So what can save Charlie from his addiction nightmare? "Faith can help all of us," says Sheen, a devout Catholic. "Addiction is the dark side. It's a reflection of despair."

Tags: charlie sheen, martin sheen

Comments

(34)

Monday 21 March

By ha ha

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He's nothing but a fcuking wing nut! Who's laughing now Charlie?

By LOL

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he's not winning, HE'S LOSING!

By Mike

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You don't sound all that stable yourself.

Mike - Fan of Charlies are ya? If you support his madness then it takes one to know one.

By JohnRL

In that photo Charlie's eyes look like two piss holes in a snow bank...

By Jackie

"Charlie is emotionally crippled"...gee, Dad, ya think? Brilliant!

By Susie

Martin you are so right in your interview bout Charlie and others with addictions. You live in the moment of psychosis, mania, then the downs of depression. He will fall here eventually, which with his lack of Tv interviews the last week or so I am guessing the fall has started.
It will be horrible to see as we all love him dearly as a person and an actor. As a person because I think he tries to be good for as long as he can until his demons or warlocks in his case get stronger then him or that drug or drink.
God bless you Martin and your family and hopefully we dont loose Charlie, his children do actually need their father.

By Bug

Martin Sheen has it about right. It is the oddest thing to watch a person sober up only to have to deal with the child he was when he got drunk. Been there; done that.

Tuesday 22 March

By *-*

I wish that family well. I can't judge people with mental issues. Hope Charlie will get help.

By LARA

THE ONLY REASON CHARLIE HAS MENTAL ISSUES IS BECAUSE THIS SPOILT DRUG ADDICT,WOMEN ABUSER HAS BEEN GETTING AWAY WITH EVERYTHING HE HAS DONE!!!!JAIL TIME !!!!

By Heyes

Gee Martin tell us something we already dont know...

By Bayleon02

I don't think Martin Sheen is trying to tell anybody anything about Charlie. He's agreeing with what many people have said that Charlie is an addict, and has psychological problems. He's saying he understands what his son is going through because he had similar problems when he was Charlie's age. He obviously loves Charlie and hopes he'll deal with some of his problems but he knows Charlie has to admit he even has an addiction problem first.

By bbimley

MY THOUGHT IS'DO NOT JUDGE'....HOPE HE CAN PUT HIS LIFE TOGETHER.....

By brooks

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drugs are our country's worst affliction. they are cancers that are eating us alive. i'm sorry for charlie's addiction, but more sickened by the many drug suckers in our country. these users are more destructive then the tragedy that has hit our fellow human beings in Japan.

By KateS.

My heart goes out to the whole bunch of them. It is better to try and remember Charlie as he was, back when. This is so sad to watch.Happens in alot of families these days. Not a good ending to this story...

By steph

Very, Very, Well SAID!

God Bless the ADDICT! Tons of prayers going to the family and Charlie!

By ickymcpooh

I think its sad.He has kids and people are encouraging him to self destruct for their own entertainment.Its pretty pathetic.

By ben

What so funny now is that he is bringing out his family to clean up his mess since he shots his mouth off. He screwed up big time and now it's time for the drunk,druggie,and the hookers to play the price....LOOSER CHARLIE SHEEN

By skinnyminny2006

Not sure why so many people are jumping all over Martin Sheen for his observation about his own son. He doesn't deserve it, and knows he can't help Charlie unless Charlie is ready. Yes, Charlie is a 45 year old man, but he'll always be Martin's child.

By joan

My heart goes out to Martin Sheen and his family. Martin has had his own problems at times, politically that is, but he has always been a good husband and father. I cannot imagine what it is like to have a son who has done what Charlie Sheen has done, it must be so hard on his family. Charlie Sheens drugs and alcohol indulgence has finally affected his brain and that is a sad fact. His father has tried to help, but it seems to no avail.
Be proud of yourself Martin Sheen, you have done your best with what appears to sadly be a losing battle.

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