Born Ramón Antonio Gerardo Estévez on August 3, 1940, he adopted a different professional name and is known for his roles in “The Subject Was Roses” and “Badlands.”
The actor with a striking acting range achieved wide recognition in 1979 when he played the lead role of Captain Benjamin Willard in “Apocalypse Now.”
The actor poses for a portrait in Los Angeles in 2001 | Source: Getty Images
The actor poses for a portrait in Los Angeles in 2001 | Source: Getty Images
He is a multiple Emmy, SAG, and Golden Globe Award winner and is one of America’s most celebrated, accomplished, and colorful actors.
Child of Immigrants Dreaming to Be an Actor
This mysterious actor was born to an Irish mother, Mary-Ann Phelan, and a Spanish father, Francisco Estévez Martínez. His parents had met in Ohio when they were both attending citizenship school.
He was born in Dayton, Ohio, and is one of ten children. At birth, a pair of forceps crushed his left shoulder and left his left arm paralyzed for a long time, causing him to have limited lateral movement of his left arm.
Growing up, he didn’t see his family as poor because everyone they knew lived like them. Before his 11th birthday, he lost his mother, and even though it was tough for him, it made him very strong, tolerant, and appreciative of his father.
As a young child, around six or seven years old, he started going to the movies, and gradually, it dawned on him that he was going to be an actor.
Martin Sheen at the Premiere of “Apocalypse Now Final Cut” on August 12, 2019, in Hollywood | Source: Getty Images
Martin Sheen at the Premiere of “Apocalypse Now Final Cut” on August 12, 2019, in Hollywood | Source: Getty Images
While going to high school, he worked as a caddy for nine years at a private golf club in Dayton, Ohio. He had great experiences there and was able to help his father.
The actor at the center of this story is Martin Sheen. He wasn’t interested in anything other than the dramatics club, where he did a lot of plays in high school. Father Alfred Drapp became his mentor and loaned Martin the money he needed to go to New York.
