Charlie Sheen Breaks Silence on His Sexuality: "It's Not a Shame Thing"

In October 2025, former TV star Charlie Sheen spoke candidly about his past sexual encounters with men, which he had recently detailed in his memoir, The Book of Sheen, and a Netflix docuseries, aka Charlie Sheen.

Sheen explained that his decision to go public with these details was not driven by shame, but rather a desire to "clear the air" around his sexual habits during a particularly turbulent period in his life. He acknowledged that the revelation had generated a lot of discussion, leading to what he believes is a widespread misperception.

Sheen sought to reframe the narrative, clarifying that the encounters were not "full-fledged" and that he never "went to college," implying a lack of experience. However, he emphasized that this was not a matter of judgment or regret, stating that it was "not a shame thing."

Despite his personal struggles, which included substance abuse issues and a 2011 HIV diagnosis, Sheen characterized the experience of going public as "liberating." He expressed a willingness to confront his past, rather than letting it "own" him.

Sheen's candid disclosure and subsequent clarification provide a glimpse into the personal life of the once-prominent actor, who rose to fame in the mid-1980s with roles in films like Platoon and Wall Street before transitioning to television.