Martin Sheen, the celebrated actor known for his roles in “West Wing” and various films, once opposed the idea of his son, Emilio Estévez, adopting a stage name at the beginning of his acting career. During a recent appearance on the podcast “Happy Sad Confused,” the 85-year-old actor, born Ramón Estévez, shared his concerns when Emilio considered changing his last name to Sheen.
“When my children started coming into the profession, they were deciding whether or not to use Estévez,” Martin recalled. He acknowledged that Emilio was on the verge of using the Sheen surname but ultimately decided that the name didn’t suit him, especially when he saw it in print. “It just doesn’t fit,” Martin remembered of his son’s reservations, adding that he had implored Emilio to stick with his birth name.
Unlike Emilio, Martin and his wife Janet’s other children, Ramón Estévez and Renée Estévez, have retained their family name in their professional lives. In contrast, Charlie Sheen, the youngest sibling, took a different route by adopting his father’s stage name. He briefly reverted to his given name, Carlos Estévez, for his role in the film “Machete.”
Reflecting on his own choices, Martin expressed regret over his decision to change his name early in his career, stating that the prejudice against Hispanic surnames during the late 1950s made it harder to secure roles as an actor. “To have a Hispanic surname at that time was not an advantage because unfortunately, there was great prejudice,” he explained. Despite his past decision, Martin emphasizes his appreciation for his heritage. “Officially I’ve never changed my name. I’m still Ramón Gerard Antonio Estévez, and I love my name,” he added with pride.
This testimony underscores the complexities celebrities face concerning identity in the entertainment industry, revealing how important it is for individuals to embrace their heritage.