Martin Sheen’s Best Roles

Martin Sheen is a legendary figure in film and television, with a distinguished career that has spanned more than sixty years. He is known for bringing a profound sense of gravity and humanity to his roles, whether he is playing a troubled soldier, a charismatic politician, or a simple man of faith. His work has earned him numerous accolades and the deep respect of his peers, establishing him as one of the most talented and enduring actors of his generation. His performances are consistently powerful and memorable.

Beyond his work on screen, Sheen is also recognized for his lifelong dedication to social and political activism, a passion that often informs the characters he chooses to play. As the patriarch of a famous acting family, his influence extends throughout the industry. He possesses a rare ability to portray both unwavering authority and deep vulnerability, creating complex characters who resonate with audiences and leave a lasting impact long after the credits have rolled.

‘The War at Home’ (1996)

In this intense family drama, Sheen plays Bob Collier, the patriarch of a seemingly normal suburban family in 1970s Texas. The story centers on his son, a Vietnam War veteran who returns home suffering from severe post-traumatic stress disorder. The family is completely unprepared for the psychological wounds he has brought back with him.

Sheen’s character is a stern and traditional father who struggles to understand his son’s trauma. He represents a generation that is unable to comprehend the horrors of the Vietnam War, leading to explosive and heartbreaking confrontations within the family. His inability to connect with his son highlights the deep divide between soldiers and the civilians they fought for.

‘The American President’ (1995)

Sheen portrays A.J. MacInerney, the seasoned and loyal chief of staff to a widowed U.S. President. He is the President’s oldest friend and most trusted advisor, responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the White House. His job becomes significantly more complicated when his boss falls in love with an environmental lobbyist.

MacInerney is a pragmatic and protective political operative who tries to shield the President from the political fallout of his new romance. He provides both sage advice and stern warnings, acting as a grounding force in the administration. The role allowed Sheen to portray a character with intelligence and integrity, foreshadowing a more famous political role he would later play.

‘The Dead Zone’ (1983)

In this Stephen King adaptation, Sheen plays Greg Stillson, a dangerously ambitious and populist politician running for the U.S. Senate. Stillson presents himself as a man of the people, but he is secretly a ruthless and unstable demagogue. His political rally is attended by the film’s protagonist, a man who can see the future through physical touch.

When the psychic hero shakes Stillson’s hand, he has a terrifying vision of Stillson as President, launching a nuclear apocalypse. The performance is memorable for its unhinged energy, particularly in a key scene where Stillson uses a baby as a human shield. Sheen creates a truly chilling villain whose folksy charm hides a monstrous ego.

‘The Way’ (2010)

Sheen stars as Tom Avery, an American ophthalmologist who travels to France to collect the remains of his estranged adult son, who died while walking the famous Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. Driven by a mix of grief and a desire to understand his son’s journey, Tom decides to complete the pilgrimage himself, carrying his son’s ashes with him.

Along the nearly 500-mile trail, the reserved and curmudgeonly Tom reluctantly falls in with a group of other pilgrims, each walking for their own personal reasons. The journey becomes a profound experience of healing, connection, and self-discovery. The film was a personal project, as it was written and directed by Sheen’s own son, Emilio Estevez.

‘Wall Street’ (1987)

Sheen plays Carl Fox, the honest, blue-collar father of the film’s ambitious protagonist, Bud Fox. Carl is an airline mechanic and a union leader who believes in hard work, loyalty, and integrity. He serves as the moral center of the story, representing a grounded and ethical worldview that stands in stark opposition to the “greed is good” philosophy of Wall Street.

His relationship with his son becomes strained as Bud gets seduced by the wealth and power offered by the ruthless corporate raider Gordon Gekko. Carl is deeply disappointed in the man his son is becoming, and their conflict highlights the film’s central theme of corporate greed versus traditional working-class values.

‘The Subject Was Roses’ (1968)

In one of his first major film roles, Sheen reprises the part of Timmy Cleary, which he had originated on Broadway. Timmy is a young man who returns to his parents’ Bronx apartment after serving in the army during World War II. He comes home hoping for a warm reunion but instead finds himself caught in the middle of his parents’ bitter and dysfunctional marriage.

The film is a powerful three-character study of a family struggling with years of resentment and an inability to communicate. Timmy’s return forces long-buried conflicts to the surface, leading to emotional reckonings for all three family members. Sheen’s performance earned him significant critical praise for his portrayal of a young man grappling with the disillusionment of his homecoming.

‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ (2021)

Sheen takes on the role of J. Edgar Hoover, the powerful and manipulative director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The film tells the true story of Fred Hampton, the chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party, and the FBI informant who was sent to infiltrate the organization.

As Hoover, Sheen portrays the architect of the FBI’s illegal COINTELPRO program, which was designed to disrupt and discredit American political organizations. He is shown as a calculating and deeply prejudiced figure who viewed the Black Panthers as a major threat to national security, authorizing the morally corrupt tactics used to bring Hampton down.

‘Gettysburg’ (1993)

In this epic historical film, Sheen portrays General Robert E. Lee, the commander of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. The story provides a detailed account of the pivotal three-day Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War. Lee is depicted as a revered and almost mythic figure to his men.

The performance captures the quiet dignity and strategic mind of the famous general. It also delves into his internal conflicts and his health issues during the campaign, particularly his fateful decision to order the disastrous infantry assault known as Pickett’s Charge. Sheen brings a sense of gravitas and humanity to this iconic historical figure.

‘Badlands’ (1973)

Sheen delivered an iconic performance as Kit Carruthers in this classic crime film. Kit is a 25-year-old garbage collector in 1950s South Dakota who begins a relationship with a 15-year-old girl. After her father forbids the relationship, Kit murders him and the two embark on a crime spree across the northern plains.

Loosely inspired by a real-life story, the film follows the young couple’s detached and aimless journey. Sheen’s character is a charismatic and disturbingly casual killer who sees himself as a rebel in the vein of James Dean. The performance established Sheen as a major talent, capable of portraying complex and morally ambiguous characters.

‘Gandhi’ (1982)

In this acclaimed biographical epic, Sheen plays Vince Walker, a fictional journalist for The New York Times. While Walker is not a real historical person, his character serves an important narrative function in the film. He acts as an observer and an occasional interviewer of Mahatma Gandhi.

Through Walker’s perspective, the audience is introduced to the complexities of the Indian independence movement and Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolent resistance. He represents the skeptical Western viewpoint that is gradually won over by Gandhi’s unwavering commitment to his cause. His reporting helps to frame the historical events for viewers.

‘Catch Me If You Can’ (2002)

Sheen has a small but pivotal role as Roger Strong, a successful Louisiana lawyer. He is the father of Brenda, the young woman who the film’s protagonist, con artist Frank Abagnale Jr., falls in love with and plans to marry. Frank, posing as a doctor and a lawyer himself, quickly wins over her parents.

Roger is a kind, intelligent, and decent man who warmly welcomes Frank into his family. He represents the stability, integrity, and loving family life that Frank has always craved but never had. His scenes provide a moment of genuine warmth and an emotional anchor in the fast-paced story of deception and pursuit.

‘Grace and Frankie’ (2015–2022)

In this popular comedy series, Sheen plays Robert Hanson, a successful divorce lawyer who has been married to his wife, Grace, for forty years. The series begins when Robert and his longtime law partner, Sol, gather their wives for dinner to announce that they have been in love for the last twenty years and are leaving them to get married.

Robert’s journey involves navigating his new life as an openly gay man in his seventies, dealing with the fallout with his adult children, and trying to maintain a civil relationship with his formidable ex-wife. The role allows Sheen to explore both the comedic and dramatic aspects of a man finally choosing to live his authentic life late in his years.

‘The Departed’ (2006)

Sheen portrays Captain Oliver Queenan, the commanding officer of the Special Investigations Unit of the Massachusetts State Police. He is a shrewd and respected cop who recruits a young trooper to go deep undercover within the Irish mob organization run by a ruthless crime boss.

Queenan serves as a mentor and the sole contact for the undercover officer, providing guidance and support in an incredibly dangerous and isolating assignment. He is a fundamentally decent and honorable man trying to do the right thing in a corrupt world. His character is a moral compass and a father figure in the gritty and violent crime saga.

‘Apocalypse Now’ (1979)

Sheen’s performance as U.S. Army Captain Benjamin Willard is one of the most iconic in film history. Willard is a special operations officer who is sent on a secret mission deep into the Cambodian jungle during the Vietnam War. His objective is to find and assassinate a decorated American colonel who has gone insane and established himself as a godlike figure among a local tribe.

The film follows Willard’s harrowing journey upriver, which becomes a descent into the heart of darkness. He witnesses the madness and moral decay of the war, forcing him to confront his own demons. The notoriously difficult production took a physical and mental toll on Sheen, but his raw and intense performance anchors this cinematic masterpiece.

‘The West Wing’ (1999–2006)

In what is perhaps his most beloved role, Sheen stars as Josiah “Jed” Bartlet, the 42nd President of the United States. President Bartlet is a brilliant and compassionate intellectual, a Nobel Prize-winning economist, and a man of deep Catholic faith. The series follows his administration as they navigate complex political, social, and international issues.

Sheen’s portrayal of Bartlet created one of television’s most iconic and idealized leaders. He depicted a president who was both a powerful commander-in-chief and a flawed but deeply decent man who led with wisdom, wit, and a strong moral compass. The role earned him numerous awards and cemented his status as a television legend.

Let us know which Martin Sheen performance you believe is his best in the comments below.