The School Boy

Although he was a star on Santa Monica High School’s baseball team, the young Charlie wasn’t an especially distinguished student. However, it was during his school days that he developed an interest in filmmaking. He made amateur films starring his school friends, who by the way included Rob Lowe and Sean Penn.

Pursuing Acting

After leaving school, Charlie took a stab at an acting career just like his father Martin and brother Emilio. Charlie began his screen career in 1984 in the Cold War thriller Red Dawn. He got his big break in 1986 when he was cast as the soldier Chris in Oliver Stone’s Oscar-winning movie , Platoon.

After establishing himself as a solid dramatic actor in another Stone movie, Wall Street, Charlie showed his flair for comedy in the 1989 hit Major League – where he also showed off his pitching arm, and in the military film satire Hot Shots.

Acting Awards

Charlie slowly rose to fame, displaying a knack for action, comedy, and dramatic roles. He was cast in the leading role of the popular situation comedy Spin City and in 2003, he signed for an ongoing role in the popular TV comedy Two and a Half Men. It was his role here that got him well-deserved nominations in the Emmy and Golden Globe awards as a comedy actor. Today, Charlie’s awards include:

2007-2009 Emmy: Nominee, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

2006 Emmy: Nominee, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

2006 Golden Globe: Nominee, Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy

2005 Golden Globe: Nominee, Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy

2002 Golden Globe: Winner, Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy

Charlie's Star

As if being the highest paid actor on primetime comedy television today wasn’t enough, accolades and honor continue to be heaped on Charlie Sheen’s name and body of work. Already, he is being recognized for his work on television as an outstanding comedic actor.

Sheen has recently received yet another nomination for Best Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for the 2009 Emmy Awards. This is the fourth such nomination of one of the highest distinctions bestowed upon all artists for television, as well as the teams that operate the behind-the-scenes affairs of the show. Bestowed upon by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the Best Lead Actor in a Comedy Series award this year will be contested by Sheen and peers Alec Baldwin, Jermaine Clement, Jim Parsons, Tony Shaloub and Steve Carell, all comic maestros in their own right.

The year also has him nominated for yet another glorious distinction. This time it is for the People’s Choice Awards, and he’s competing for 2009’s Favorite Male TV Star. These awards differ as they are decided almost completely by votes from the viewing public, instead of a ruling board or body of judges.

Sheen has been nominated four times for both awards, in just as many years too. Despite his consistent track record and frequent nods, the Emmy Award and People’s Choice Award trophies at the end have continued to elude him thus far. Could things turn around in the near future? Time can reveal some surprises, after all.

While these anecdotes may lead you to think that Charlie Sheen is being overlooked by judges and voters, he’s also been on the other side of the tape and come away as a winner at times. Most significant of these moments was his walking away with the Golden Globe Award back in 2002. This was for the award of Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy. Not only did this add to his impressive resumé, but it also solidified him as a bankable, respected television star.