Martin Sheen is one of the most well respected veteran actors out there. So with everything going on with his son, Charlie, many have wondered how he must be dealing.
In an interview with The Telegraph, Sheen opened up about Charlie, and said that his own demons have helped him understand what his son is going through:
“I know what hell he’s living in…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 battled alcohol addiction and mental illness earlier in his career, and says that much like Charlie, his issues caused him to focus on himself instead of his family.
“I was so interested in myself, I didn’t really focus on what [my kids’] needs were, or what their aspirations were.”
The actor says that despite Charlie’s success, he remains emotionally stunted from his addictions, and that lends a lot to his issues:
“You know, Charlie’s 45 years old. He’s not a kid…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.”
So what can save Charlie from his addiction nightmare? Martin says that it’s the belief in something bigger than ourselves:
“Faith can help all of us…Addiction is the dark side. It’s a reflection of despair.”
Martin Sheen is starring alongside his eldest son and Charlie’s brother, Emilio Estevez, in the upcoming film, THE WAY. Here’s to hoping for only the best for the man.