Martin Sheen regrets changing his name early in his career, wishes he kept his real name

Hollywood Actor Martin Sheen says he has two names, and he regrets one of them.

The 81-year-old, whose real name is Ramon Estévez, wishes he was never persuaded to change it to Martin Sheen in his early career.

In an interview with Closer Weekly, he explained

"Sometimes you get persuaded when you don't have enough insight or even enough courage to stand up for what you believe in, and you pay for it later."

Even though he is known as Sheen in his professional life, in every other aspect, he's still Ramon Estévez. That's the name on his marriage license, driver's license, and birth certificate.

His sons, actors Charlie Sheen (born Carlos Estevez) and Emilio Estevez took different routes when they started in Hollywood. Charlie decided to take on the Sheen name, while Emilio took his dad's advice and stuck with his given name.

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Martin Sheen says,

"When Emilio 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."

feature image via Pruneau / Wikimedia Commons