[Trigger Warning]
Netflix is set to release its two-part documentary, aka Charlie Sheen, on September 10, where Charlie Sheen is ready to bare it all. The documentary is releasing just one day before the actor’s tell-all memoir, The Book of Sheen, hits shelves.
But before audiences hear the story from Sheen himself, it’s worth revisiting the scandals that defined his fall. Known for his role in Two and a Half Men, Sheen was once the highest-paid actor on TV. But behind the scenes, his life revolved around addiction, arrests, and public scandals. Here are five of the most infamous chapters in Sheen’s controversial life.
5. HIV-Positive Revelation
In November 2015, on NBC’s Today Show, Sheen publicly confirmed he is HIV-positive, four years after his diagnosis. The announcement led to several allegations from ex-partners who claimed he failed to disclose his status.
The actor said that he was blackmailed by people who found his medication and threatened to expose him unless he paid. He gave in at first, but eventually went public on the talk show to stop the extortion.
4. Charlie Sheen Admitted Having S** With Men
Sheen confirms in The Book of Sheen and aka Charlie Sheen that he had s**ual encounters with men, mainly during periods of heavy crack cocaine use (via People). Speaking to People, Sheen said, “I flipped the menu over.” In the documentary, he describes the experience of sharing this publicly as “f***ing liberating.”
On Good Morning America (aired on September 5, 2025), Sheen elaborated that it all began when he was using Crack: “That’s where it was born, or sparked.” However, he’s not regretting at all, Sheen said, “So what? Some of it was weird, a lot of it was f**ing fun, and life goes on.” He emphasized he’s no longer running from his truth.
3. Arrested for Holding a Knife on Wife Brooke Mueller on Christmas
On December 25, 2009, Sheen was arrested in Aspen, Colorado, after his then-wife, Brooke Mueller, called 911. She claimed Sheen held a knife to her throat and threatened her during a heated argument. He was charged with felony menacing, third-degree assault, and criminal mischief. Sheen later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault as part of a plea deal and was ordered into rehab instead of jail.
The incident marked one of the most serious in a pattern of domestic violence allegations. Previously, his ex-wife, Denise Richards, also alleged domestic violence, noting Sheen had pushed and threatened to kill her. Sheen and Mueller divorced in 2011. He has since called the situation a turning point in how he viewed accountability.
2. $50K Escort Exposed in the Heidi Fleiss Trial
In 1995, Sheen was exposed as a major client of Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss during her federal trial for tax evasion and money laundering.
Under oath, Sheen admitted he had spent more than $50,000 on s*x workers. He used Fleiss’s service 27 times and contacted “Heidi girls” directly at least 20 more times (via Los Angeles Times). At the time, Sheen was engaged to model Donna Peele. He later released a statement apologizing to his family and fiancée. They got married in September 1995, but the marriage ended a year later. (via E! News).
1. Charlie Sheen Fired From Two and a Half Men
In 2011, Sheen’s erratic behavior and public feud with Two and a Half Men creator Chuck Lorre led to his firing from the top-rated CBS sitcom. At the time, Sheen was making $1.8 million per episode, making him the highest-paid actor on TV.
He launched his infamous media campaign, claiming he had “tiger blood” and was “winning,” while attacking Lorre and studio executives. CBS shut down production and fired him, citing contract violations.
Sheen sued Warner Bros. for $100 million. The case was later settled for an estimated $25 million. In a 2021 interview with Yahoo Entertainment, Sheen said, “My thought behind that is, ‘Oh yeah, great. I’m so glad I traded early retirement for a f**ing hashtag.’”
Take a quick look at some of his famous scandals:
| Year | Scandals |
| 2015 | Revealed HIV positive status |
| 2025 | Admitted to having s*x with men during crack use |
| 2009 | Arrested for assaulting wife, Brooke Mueller |
| 1995 | $50K escort revealed in the Heidi Fleiss Trial |
| 2011 | Fired from Two and a Half Men |
Charlie Sheen’s scandals have been mocked and criticised for decades. But now, in aka Charlie Sheen and The Book of Sheen, the actor is reclaiming his story, not running from it.
Will the public accept his redemption, or just relive the downfall? Also, let us know if you are planning to watch aka Charlie Sheen? Share your thoughts in the comments.
aka Charlie Sheen will premiere on September 10, 2025, on Netflix (US).
