Martin Sheen, the celebrated star of “The West Wing,” has openly acknowledged that his birth name is Ramón Estévez. The actor, born in Dayton, Ohio to immigrant parents—Mary-Ann Phelan from Ireland and Francisco Estévez Martínez from Galicia, Spain—created his iconic stage persona in 1958 by adopting a combination of influences from his early career. The name “Martin” pays homage to CBS casting director Robert Dale Martin, who provided him with a crucial opportunity, while “Sheen” is inspired by the Catholic archbishop and broadcaster Fulton J. Sheen.
On the podcast “Happy Sad Confused,” Martin confessed that, despite being known as Martin Sheen for nearly seven decades, he has never officially changed his name and continues to embrace his Hispanic heritage. “I’m still Ramón Gerard Antonio Estévez, and I love my name,” he stated with pride.
Martin and his wife, Janet Templeton, whom he wed in 1961, raised four children—Emilio, Ramón, Carlos (known as Charlie Sheen), and Renée—three of whom chose to retain their Spanish heritage in their names. Reflecting on his children’s journey into the acting world, Martin shared his hopes that they would keep the Estévez surname. He recounted a pivotal moment when Emilio considered adopting the Sheen name, only to decide against it after seeing “Emilio Sheen” in print, feeling that it did not resonate with him.
Even as his son Charlie built a successful career under his stage name, he briefly took on his birth name, Carlos Estévez, for the 2013 film “Machete Kills.” Martin admitted to feeling regret over changing his name, especially given the challenges Hispanic actors faced in the late 1950s. He noted that having a Hispanic surname was often seen as a disadvantage in a landscape marked by prejudice against the Puerto Rican community.
Historically, Puerto Ricans have migrated to New York City since the mid-1800s, with significant increases following World War II. This influx was accompanied by rising anti-Puerto Rican sentiment, a reality that shaped Martin’s early career and his perspective on identity in Hollywood. Through his reflections, Martin Sheen highlights the importance of heritage and the personal choices families make regarding their names—a subject that resonates across generations. His journey serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by artists navigating cultural identity in their pursuit of success.