• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Emilio Estevez says dad Martin Sheen’s biggest mistake was changing his name

Home> Celebrity

Published 09:57 11 May 2023 GMT+1

Emilio Estevez says dad Martin Sheen’s biggest mistake was changing his name

The Hollywood star says his dad warned against changing his own name

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

Emilio Estevez has spoken about his dad’s deep regret at changing his name from Ramón Estévez to Martin Sheen and says his famous father even warned him against changing his own.

The 82-year-old actor changed his name back in the late 1950s as he attempted to break into Hollywood.

The West Wing star has said previously that he struggled to land roles due to his Hispanic name so decided to change it to Martin Sheen.

Speaking in 2003, Sheen explained why he felt compelled to change his name, but admitted that it was a source of ‘great regret’.

Advert

He told Inside the Actors Studio: “Whenever I would call for an appointment, whether it was a job or an apartment, and I would give my name, there was always that hesitation and when I'd get there, it was always gone.

"So I thought, I got enough problems trying to get an acting job, so I invented Martin Sheen.

“It's still Estevez officially. I never changed it officially. I never will. It's on my driver's license and passport and everything.

"I started using Sheen, I thought I'd give it a try, and before I knew it, I started making a living with it and then it was too late.

Advert

Emilio Estevez with dad Martin Sheen.
Instagram/@akawilliamhbonney

“In fact, one of my great regrets is that I didn't keep my name as it was given to me. I knew it bothered my dad.”

His son Emilio - who was once saved from drowning by Laurence Fishburne - has now spoken out about his dad’s regret over switching his name, revealing that his father once said: “Don’t make the same mistake that I did.”

Recalling one occasion when his dad was particularly hard hit with regret, Estevez said that in 1967 his Spanish-born grandfather Francisco went to see Sheen perform in The Subject Was Roses on Broadway.

Advert

But when he saw his son’s ‘new name’, Francisco was seen by Sheen ‘shaking his head in disappointment’ and that moment stuck with him.

Instagram/@akawilliamhbonney

“He never got over that,” Estevez said. “So, when it was time for me to start making those moves and doing auditions he said, ‘Man, if I had one thing to do over, I never would have changed my name.’”

In an interview last year, Sheen spoke about how grateful he was that his son hadn’t followed suit and changed his name.

Advert

He said: “The only influence I had on Emilio was to keep his name.

"When he started out, his agent was advising him to change his name to Sheen and he wouldn’t do it. And I thank God he didn’t.”

Featured Image Credit: Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock/ Jim Smeal/BEI/Shutterstock

Topics: Celebrity, Film and TV

Claire Reid
Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at UNILAD who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats.

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Leonardo DiCaprio reveals the one career move that was he says was his biggest 'regret'
  • Sarah Michelle Gellar says she was sued by McDonald’s at age 5 for bizarre reason
  • Amber Heard has no new movies on the way after changing her name and moving to Spain
  • Hulk Hogan’s daughter Brooke reveals heartbreaking final conversation she had with dad before his death

Choose your content:

5 hours ago
a day ago
  • 5 hours ago

    Judge Frank Caprio posted heartbreaking update to fans from hospital bed day before passing away

    The 88-year-old made a plea to his fans to keep him in their prayers

    Celebrity
  • a day ago

    Chris Pratt has controversial response to people who don't like Donald Trump

    Some however called the Jurassic Park star 'a voice of reason'

    Celebrity
  • a day ago

    New York influencer and close friend of rapper 6ix9ine found dead in her car aged 33

    6ix9ine paid tribute to his late friend Ariela La Langosta

    Celebrity
  • a day ago

    Mother of Elon Musk's '13th child' claims she's currently broke and 'getting evicted'

    Ashley St. Clair has launched a new venture after experiencing struggles with her career

    Celebrity