As he reflects on his life and career, Charlie Sheen boldly declares that nothing is off limits in his new Netflix documentary, “aka Charlie Sheen.” This two-part program, premiering on September 10 on Netflix, takes viewers on a journey through the actor's darkest moments as an addict, providing a raw and unfiltered look at his past.
“The stuff that I plan on sharing, I had made a sacred vow years ago to only reveal to a therapist,” Sheen explains. “I think there are so many stories and ingrained images in people’s minds about the concept of me. It’s not even like they think of me as a person; they think of me as a specific moment in time.” The documentary explores some of Sheen's infamous low points, including his very public meltdown in 2011 that led to his firing from “Two and a Half Men,” a moment that has since become a significant part of his narrative.
In recent years, Sheen appears to have cleaned up his act, claiming to be seven years sober. He acknowledges that he has a lot to atone for. Interestingly, the documentary does not mention that he has already made amends with Chuck Lorre, the executive producer of “Two and a Half Men.” Sheen even made a guest appearance in Lorre’s recent comedy “Bookie.” Additionally, he maintains a cordial relationship with his ex-wives, Denise Richards and Brooke Mueller, both of whom appear in the documentary directed by Andrew Renzi.
Joining Sheen in “aka Charlie Sheen” are notable figures such as his brother Ramon Estevez, childhood friends Sean Penn and Tony Todd, former drug dealer Marco, and co-stars Jon Cryer and Chris Tucker, along with the famed “Hollywood Madam,” Heidi Fleiss.
In the documentary, Sheen shares for the first time his experiences with same-sex relationships, describing it as discovering “the other side of the menu.” He expresses, “It’s fucking liberating,” and adds, “So what? Some of it was weird. A lot of it was fucking fun, and life goes on.” Sheen dismisses concerns about public perception, stating, “If someone doesn’t want to hire me because ‘he did all that shit’? Whatever.”
Sheen also opens up about the severity of his drug abuse, recalling an 18-hour nosebleed from a cocaine bender that interfered with filming. He humorously recounts how he once shoved an ice cube up his butt to stay awake during a shoot. “I’ve never done that before, and, man, I was wide awake just enough to get back on the mark,” he laughs.
Sheen strongly denies allegations made by Corey Feldman regarding the sexual assault of Corey Haim, calling it “absolutely fucking bullshit.” He suggests that he should have taken legal action against Feldman but chose not to give him further attention. “It’s a piece of vile fiction,” he asserts.
In the documentary, Sheen also addresses his HIV status, emphasizing that he always informed partners and even paid them to keep his diagnosis private. “I was wearing condoms, and I was, by then, completely undetectable,” he explains, revealing the lengths he went to in order to protect his privacy.
One of the most shocking stories shared in “aka Charlie Sheen” is when he took control of a jetliner while drunk on a flight. On his honeymoon with first wife Donna Peele, Sheen ended up in the cockpit, unintentionally flying the plane before the co-pilot intervened. “I’m there drunk, close to 300 people asleep behind me,” he recalls, underscoring the chaotic state of his life at that time.
Sheen also reveals that he turned down the lead role in “The Karate Kid” at his father's insistence, believing that keeping his word in a previous commitment was more important than pursuing fame. “I was pissed,” Sheen admits, reflecting on how this decision ultimately impacted his career.
Despite his tumultuous past, Sheen expresses hope for reconciliation with his family. His father, Martin Sheen, and brother Emilio Estevez chose not to participate in the documentary, but Sheen understands their decision, stating, “I can’t expect people to revisit all the drug abuse and all the shitty choices that hurt the people I love.”
Jon Cryer, who starred alongside Sheen in “Two and a Half Men,” shares his mixed feelings about participating in the documentary, noting Sheen's cycle of self-destruction. “I didn’t want to be a part of that cycle,” Cryer admits, expressing hope that Sheen's journey will lead to positive outcomes.
“aka Charlie Sheen” is not just a documentary; it’s a deep dive into the life of a man who has faced tremendous challenges and is determined to share his truth. With its candid revelations and personal insights, this Netflix documentary illustrates Sheen's ongoing battle for redemption and clarity.
