Charlie Sheen is arguably best known for his public scandals, but behind the scenes he quietly gave away a fortune.
According to TMZ, sources close to the actor confirmed Sheen donated between $26 million and $30 million to charities during the height of his Two and a Half Men success. The money went to causes like Autism Speaks, cancer research, and programs supporting the homeless.
The actor apparently insisted on donating the money anonymously, instructing his team to keep it private. It’s only now ahead of Sheen’s upcoming memoir and Netflix documentary release, that the extent of his philanthropy has come to light.
Sheen reportedly made the sizeable donations during his peak earning years. At his height on Two and a Half Men, the actor earned around $1.8 million per episode, bringing his annual earnings close to $48 million (plus backend syndication profits). At one point, his fortune was estimated at $150 million, making him one of the richest actors on television.
Image via Instar
However, his success unraveled in 2011. Sheen was fired from Two and a Half Men following erratic behavior and a (very) public feud with CBS executives. The firing cost him tens of millions in lost salary and profit-sharing. Although he later landed a deal for Anger Management that had the potential to replicate similar earnings, it never had the same success as Two and a Half Men.
Off-screen, Sheen’s finances were drained by multiple divorces, child support payments, and legal settlements. By 2016, Sheen revealed in court documents that his monthly income had dropped from $600,000 to $167,000, while debts piled up to nearly $12 million. One of his ex-wives, Denise Richards, has also claimed the controversial actor has failed to keep up on child support payments for their two daughters; he also shares twin sons with his ex-wife Brooke Mueller. Nowadays, reports suggest Sheen’s net worth is closer to $3 million.
Given Sheen’s financial problems in recent years, it’s it makes the revelation about his million-dollar donations even more striking. With his upcoming memoir and documentary set to revisit the chaos of his career, fans will likely see a different side of the actor, philanthropically and all.
