Charlie Sheen, star of Hollywood's most popular television show, "Two and a Half Men," was fired from the show this week after a tumultuous crash and burn of his personal life.
The comedy sitcom aired in 2003, about a woman-chasing, hedonistic alcoholic writer of advertising jingles whose nephew, and brother, move in with him. The show became a ratings hit, airing in nearly 50 countries world-wide, and earning Mr. Sheen $1.25 million per episode.
Mr. Sheen, son of veteran actor Martin Sheen, and brother of fellow actor Emilio Estevez, got his acting debut in the 1986 Oliver Stone film "Platoon." He later played in Oliver Stone's "Wall Street" opposite Michael Douglas, the western "Young Guns" and the thriller "The Rookie" opposite Clint Eastwood.
During the mid-1990s, Mr. Sheen's hedonistic lifestyle earned him tabloid headlines and a stint in rehabilitation. In 1995, he was arrested for cocaine use and confessed to spending $50,000 at a brothel operated by former "Hollywood madam" Heidi Fleiss.
In 1997, Mr. Sheen pled no contest to battery charges against former girlfriend Brittany Ashland, and received a suspended one year sentence and two years probation. Less than a year later, Mr. Sheen was hospitalized for a drug overdose and ordered back into rehabilitation.
In 2000, Mr. Sheen cleaned himself up sufficiently to land a television role as Michael J. Fox's replacement on the show "Spin City." In 2002, he married actress Denise Richards and the couple had twin daughters. He divorced Ms. Richards 3 years later, after she complained of death threats and his drug use.
In 2008, Mr. Sheen married actress Brooke Mueller, who later gave birth to twin sons. In December, 2009, Mr. Sheen was arrested for assaulting and threatening to kill Ms. Mueller. During 2010, the couple were divorced.
Early last year, Mr. Sheen entered rehabilitation, compelling a 3-month production hiatus for "Two and A Half Men." Shortly thereafter, Mr. Sheen hinted he would leave the show if the program's creator, Warner Bros., did not accede to his salary increase demand.
In October, 2010, Mr. Sheen was accused of damaging a New York hotel room, and he voluntarily admitted himself to a hospital, explained by his publicist as caused by an adverse reaction to medication.
Two months ago, Mr. Sheen was hospitalized for severe abdominal pains, reportedly caused by days of partying. The next day, a Warner Bros. official demanded Mr. Sheen seek treatment, and suspended production of "Two and A Half Men."
Two weeks later, Mr. Sheen expressed readiness to begin shooting the show after self-healing his addictions. He then telephoned an American radio host's program to criticize the show's producer, Chuck Lorre, and make a variety of bizarre statements, such as admitting to be a "high priest."
During the next week, Mr. Sheen continued attacks on producer Mr. Lorre and gave interviews on various American talk shows, such as ABC"s "20/20," where he stated "I am on a drug, it's called Charlie Sheen."
Finally, Warner Bros. sent Mr. Sheen's lawyers an 11-page letter, stating his condition, statements and destructive behavior made production of the television show "untenable." The letter further stated "Warner Bros. would not, could not and should not attempt to continue 'business as usual' while Mr. Sheen destroys himself."
Warner Bros. provided no word yet on whether "Two and A Half Men" will continue production without Mr. Sheen, while considering replacements, such as John Stamos.