Charlie Sheen has been revisiting his life and career, including some chapters that he has trouble remembering or would like to forget.
In September, he released his memoir “The Book of Sheen,” which covers his whole life but does not shy away from his very public issues with addiction during the height of his fame on TV’s “Two and a Half Men.”
The memoir was released the same week as “aka Charlie Sheen” a two-part Netflix documentary that covers much of the same personal history but in a different medium and in a more conversational style.
Now Sheen is on the road, telling his story with “Charlie Sheen Alive on Stage,” coming to the Shubert Theatre in New Haven on Oct. 19 at 7 p.m.
All these retrospectives provide a chance to appreciate that Sheen began his career with such powerhouse dramatic films as “Platoon” and “Wall Street” (both for Oliver Stone). He’s known for being replaced in a hit sitcom, but years earlier he successfully replaced Michael J. Fox as the star of a different show, “Spin City.” His range as an actor is undeniable, from comedies as broad as “Hot Shots!” and “Loaded Weapon” to action dramas like “Beyond the Law” and “The Rookie” to swashbuckling in “Three Musketeers” and playing himself in the esoteric “Being John Malkovich.”
Sheen invites all the attention to his past, including the awkward parts. For him, it’s a way of moving on. Sheen has now been sober eight years — one of his current projects is a non-alcoholic beer brand called Wild AF Brewing.
In a phone interview this week, Sheen spoke with the Courant about everything from the last time he did a tour like this — in a very different frame of mind, a jaunt he now characterizes as a “train wreck” — to dream roles, baseball and a chance to reclaim his past.
Hartford Courant: At what point did you think “I want to do a documentary” or “I want to write a memoir”?
Charlie Sheen: Those kind of happened at the same time, and once I had committed to the book and then the doc opportunity showed up, I thought “Well, let’s leave behind a one-two punch.” This way it’s a bit of a reset. Then I can just stop talking about all that (expletive) and start looking forward, and if anyone’s curious about it I can just say “Well, you watch it, you can read it or you can listen to it.” It’s presented in a way that’s brutally honest, going into some areas that just needed to be explored, needed to be unloaded. That stuff feels a lot better out than it did in all those years.
The doc garnered so much attention. When it hit it was a big hit for Netflix so that was really exciting. We were all really proud of it. But then I didn’t want people to think that if they’ve seen the doc they don’t have to read the book, you know? Because the stories that do overlap are told with a different narrative in the book — having weeks to tell a story rather than five minutes on camera. It’s a different experience. People are going to feel that.
What’s the format of the live show?
I have a moderator. I’ll try to do some intro piece, make everybody feel connected to a fun time. The moderator and I go through some stuff, then we give it to the audience: “What have you always wanted to ask me? Give it your best shot.” That’s always fun.
Charlie Sheen poses backstage before discussing his book “The Book of Sheen” at the 92nd Street Y on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
What kind of audiences are coming this time around?
I don’t think it’s a specific demographic. I think I’ve been fortunate — a friend of mine said a few years ago that my demo was “from 2 to toothless.” I think it really has a lot to do with how the TV show has been playing everywhere since it happened. The fan base is multigenerational at this point, which is really cool. I’m very fortunate to have had those opportunities, to have been entrusted with various types of material in the different genres. I think as far as people coming to these shows, the good news is that I’ve had enough of a presence —which is an understatement — promoting the doc and the book, now the beer, that in the lead-up to these venues people have had a chance to see and feel where I’m at today. I don’t think anybody’s worried about showing up to anything that’s going to look remotely like that disaster of a tour that took place 13 or 14 years ago. I think that chapter in people’s minds is officially closed.
How about for you? Do you get flashbacks of being on the road before?
No. I’ve had enough time, and there’s tons of perspective and gratitude and all the stuff that we hope is in play — and it is. I can feel that there’s a real energy to reembrace. People are going to come to the live show just to hear some stories that may not be in the book or the doc, have a personal connection of some sort. That’s exciting. That’s the kind of stuff that keeps it fresh, keeps it authentic.
You did “Eight Men Out” and “Major League,” two very different but equally cool baseball movies. Are you a fan of the game or were those just the gigs you got?
I’m a student of baseball my whole life. I’m more than the average fan. I discovered the game at a really young age and just connected to it. No other sport spoke to me.
There’s 70 years of history between those two movies, so it’s a different rhythm. I wish I had a bigger part in ‘“Eight Men Out.” It was the last guy cast. That was the only role available. I was still shooting “Wall Street” when I agreed to “Eight Men Out.” I was so tired after doing “Wall Street” that I just wanted a role I could breeze through. It wasn’t the best follow-up, performance-wise, to “Wall Street,” but that film has withstood the test of time. If I were to scan the pantheon or spectrum of baseball I think “Major League” and “Eight Men Out” kind of checks that box.
Are there any new acting projects in the works?
There’s a lot of stuff. It’s some of the best material I’ve read in 20 years. There are books we’re talking about getting optioned and developed. I’m wide open to whatever’s next, you know?
You’ve done comedy, drama, adventure. Are there any genres you haven’t done that you’d like to do?
Oh yeah, I’ve never played a hardened detective trying to solve that career make-or-break case. I would love to explore something like that in the streaming world. Just really dig into something that’s really entertaining, a great character, a really smart plot. That’s the tone of what I’d be really excited about jumping into.
Do you ever watch “Two and a Half Men” now?
I didn’t used to, but now, yeah! When I was writing the book I always had the TV on — baseball game with the volume off, then on the breaks I would do some channel surfing. When I came across it, I would always try to remember what the next joke was, what the next set-up was. Here I am alone in my room, either criticizing a joke— “Well, that was lazy”— or like “Nice work gentlemen!,” meaning the writers. I still have a connection to it that’s pretty warm.
Have you been in Connecticut much in your life?
No. I was born in New York but only lived there until I was 3. I’ve been West Coast my whole life so have not spent hardly any time in Connecticut. I think that other tour had a stop there. (He laughs loudly.)
Do you even remember it?
I’d have to look at photos for confirmation. Again, whatever I step into now, I’m optimistic about.
So this time you’re seeing people who care about you?
Absolutely. There’s no train wreck to rubberneck.
“Charlie Sheen: Alive on Stage” happens on Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Shubert Theatre, 247 College St., New Haven. Add-on options include a signed copy of “The Book of Sheen” and a meet-and-greet opportunity. Regular tickets are $44-$68.50. shubert.com.
