Internship is a system of on-the-job training for white-collar and professional careers.^[1][2] Internships for professional careers are similar to apprenticeships for trade and vocational jobs. Although interns are typically college or university students, they can also be high school students or post-graduate adults. Rarely, they can even be middle school or in some cases elementary students.

Generally, the internship works as an exchange of services for experience between the student and his or her employer. Students exchange their cheap or free labor to gain experience in a particular field. They can also use an internship to determine if they have an interest in a particular career, create a network of contacts, or gain school credit. Some interns also find permanent, paid employment with the companies in which they interned. Thus, employers also benefit as experienced interns need little or no training when they begin full-time regular employment.

Types of internships[link]

Internships exist in a wide variety of various industries and settings. An internship may be paid, unpaid or partially paid (in the form of a stipend). Paid internships are common in professional fields including medical, architecture, science, engineering, law, business (especially accounting and finance), technology and advertising fields. Non-profit charities and think tanks have unpaid, volunteer positions. Internships may be part-time or full-time - typically they are part-time during the university year and full-time in the summer. They usually last 6–12 weeks, but can be shorter or longer, depending on the company involved. The act of job shadowing may also constitute interning.

The two primary types of internships that exist in the United States are:

• Work experience internship: Most often this will be in the second or third year of the school period. The placement can be from 2 months to one full school year. During this period the student is expected to use the things he/she has learned in school and put them into practice. This way the student gains work experience in their field of study. The gained experience will be helpful to finish the final year of study.
• Research internship (graduation) or dissertation internship: This is mostly done by students who are in their final year. With this kind of internship a student does research for a particular company. The company can have something that they feel like they need to improve, or the student can choose a topic within the company themselves. The results of the research study will be put in a report and often will have to be presented. Due to strict labor laws, European internships are mostly unpaid, although they are still popular among non-Europeans in order to gain international exposure on one's résumé and for foreign language improvement.

1. An additional type of internship growing in popularity is the virtual internship, in which the intern works remotely, and is not physically present at the job location. It provides the capacity to attain the same results without the conventional means of being physically present at a job. Usually the internship is conducted via virtual means, such as phone, email, and web communication. Virtual interns generally have the opportunity to work at their own pace.^[3]

The practice of a mid-career person taking an internship (see Returnship) is relatively new to the U.S. but becoming more common due to the current economic crisis.^[4]

[edit] Fees for internship and charity auctions

Some companies now find and place students in mostly unpaid internships for a fee.^[5] These companies charge to assist with a search, promising to refund their fees if no internship is found.^[6] These programs vary, but they claim to provide internship placements at reputable companies, provide controlled housing in a new city, mentorship and support throughout the summer, networking, weekend activities in some programs, and sometimes academic credit.^[7]

Another form of paying for internships is through charity auctions. A company with an internship will select a charity who will obtain an internship position funded by the auction. In some cases, companies have created internships simply to help a charity. ^[5]

Some claim that fee-based programs and charity auctions restrict internship opportunities to students in wealthier families. ^[7] These companies respond that "the average student comes from the middle class, and their parents "dig deep" to pay for it." Some companies specifically fund scholarships and grants for low-income applicants.

Critics of internships also decry the practice of requiring certain college credits to be obtained only through unpaid internships. Depending on the cost of the school, this is often seen as an unethical practice, as it requires students to exchange paid-for and often limited tuition credits in order to work an uncompensated job. Even if the school does not require credit for an internship, companies offering the internship often pressure colleges to give college credit so interns cannot complain that they receive nothing for their efforts.

Internships by region[link]

Internship laws and practices vary widely from country to country, and region to region.

Asia and Australia[link]

Australia[link]

Internships in Australia are often referred to as "work experience" when undertaken by grammar school students and "industry experience" when undertaken by university students. Some degree programs such as engineering require a minimum amount of industry experience (usually 12 weeks) to attain professional accreditation with industry bodies such as Engineers Australia.

Unpaid internships are legal and allowed for under the Fair Work Act 2009. There are a number of criteria used to determine if the engagement forms a legitimate internship, including:

• benefit to the individual
• commercial gain for the company
• period of placement, and/or
• relationship to a course of study.^[8]

Malaysia[link]

Some courses offered in public universities of Malaysia require the student to attend an industrial training for a period of minimum ten weeks. This includes, for example, engineering, architecture and the like. This period however varies from ten weeks to as long as 6 months.

New Zealand[link]

In New Zealand, there are a number of colleges where students can undertake an internship whilst studying - for example Queenstown Resort College [3]. Students there studying adventure tourism or hospitality management must complete an internship in order to complete their course studies. However most of these internships are paid by the employer.

Europe[link]

Croatia[link]

Internships are possible in Croatia.^[9]

Denmark[link]

Work without pay is inappropriate in Denmark. One way it can be done is as part of a work-trial where a person is tested by the authorities in conjunction with putting the individual back into the workplace.^[10]

It is also common within most Danish universities to place students in "free work" jobs. The company is then compensated and the intern gets welfare during this period. This normally lasts about three months. The Danish Trade Unions monitor this type of work very thoroughly so the hiring of an intern does not result in the loss of a paid job.^[11][12]

In 2008, a new system established by the Department of Education may lower the motivation of students who take time to work for charity.^[13]

European Union[link]

The European Commission operates a sizeable traineeship programme.

France[link]

At French universities, internships are common. In France, these are called a “stage”, and occur during the third or fourth year of studies. The duration of French internships varies from 2 to 6 months. As of January 1st 2012, French labor law requires that all internships of 2 months or longer include minimum pay of 436,05€ per month. In France it is also becoming more popular to perform internships after studies are completed.

Internships in France are also popular for international students. The primary reason international students intern in France is to learn to speak French fluently. French companies greatly appreciate employees who speak multiple languages and thus international opportunities are available.^[14]

Germany[link]

As in most other countries, most students take their internship during the fourth or fifth semester of their degree. In some fields of study it is common to write the final thesis in a company.

Another type of internship has emerged in recent years is the post graduation internship. The difficult situation in the labor market in Germany during the last years has made it hard for people to find the right job, especially for people that have just graduated and lack work experience. Because of this, employees often take internships at their preferred place of employment while earning very little or no pay at all, in the hope of landing a job there in the future. In response, many companies now have policies in place that restrict internship positions to current students.

Italy[link]

Since the Italian University System entered into the Bologna process, an internship experience (commonly referred to by the French term stage) has been made compulsory for almost all those studying for a bachelors or a master's degree (especially in technical, economic or scientific faculties). The goal of this process is to reduce the gap between the companies' demands and the often very theoretical learning offered by Italian universities. However, since the internship is usually made at university as well and since the few companies that accept student interns rarely offer proper training, these internships are generally not a real work experience. Almost all the students therefore have to do a second or a third internship after they are done with their studies, hoping to receive a proper professional training, being hired afterward in the same company or in another company in a close or related business.

Italian internships can last up to 6 months and are renewable for other 6 months. The total period can be up to 12 months. Internships in Italy can be both paid or unpaid. Students internships, especially the ones not involved with the development of a thesis, are usually not paid.

Almost all the graduate internships are paid, but the remuneration is usually extremely low, around 600 euros gross per month (that is about 1/4 of the gross monthly remuneration of an hired young graduate employee) and without benefits other than the lunch and a few paid days for sickness/vacation (so no 13th/14th mensilities, no parental leave etc.)^{[citation needed]}. This poses a big problem for fresh graduates, considering as well that some companies use graduate interns just to save money, making them work for 6 to 12 months without giving them a decent remuneration, without offering them proper training/formation, and without hiring them after the internship even if they showed to be productive, fast-learning and trustworthy. In other words, a significant percentage of Italian graduates, after one or even two years from the end of their studies (in some cases even masters studies), are still searching for a real job, that can offer stability and a decent remuneration. This, together with the long time necessary to graduate in Italy, is part of the reason why graduate Italians leave the family home very late, usually in their early 30s.^{[citation needed]}

Netherlands[link]

In the Netherlands it is also common to perform internships during college^{[citation needed]} which, just like in Belgium and France, is called a stage. Most student internships last between 3 and 9 months^{[citation needed]}. Companies are not obligated to pay the student, so sometimes small companies won't pay anything. The normal internship compensation rate in the Netherlands is around €300 per month^{[citation needed]}, depending on education level and company generosity.

Spain[link]

At Spanish universities, internship during the education period are uncommon. "Real" work experience for students begins only when they are done with their study.

Some Spanish companies are getting more used to having student internships--mostly these are international students from other European countries. Often, students want to learn Spanish. Placement organizations may be needed as Spanish companies are harder to contact directly. The normal stage compensation rate in Spain is around 500€/month. Retribution is regulated in many universities starting from 6€/hr. Given these rates, Spanish employers who do hire interns often may be taking advantage of unpaid interships in order to get free labor.^{[citation needed]}.

United Kingdom[link]

In Great Britain, internships are often referred to as 'sandwich placements'. They are valid work experience and are performed as part of a degree program. University staff give students access to vacancies and students apply direct to employers. Some students opt not to go on a sandwich placement however apply for internships during summer in between years at University. Some universities hold fairs and exhibitions to encourage students to consider the option and to enable students to meet potential employers.^[15] In the modern labor market, graduates with internship work experience are deemed more desirable to employers. Research has demonstrated they attain higher level degree classifications than those graduates without such experience.^{[citation needed]}

The purpose of these placements is varied. Some university students see it as a way to develop their employability by utilizing the academic elements of their degree in a practical setting. International students may also seek to get understanding about how work is conducted in the English-speaking world and to experience cultural diversity. Organisations such as the Trades Union Congress and Intern Aware have been lobbying for a change in British internships to make interns aware of their employment law rights.^[16][17]

North America[link]

Canada[link]

^[18]

In Canada, high school, college and university student placements are typically referred to as "Co-ops" (co-operative education) programs. University co-op programs are often highly competitive; students must apply to and compete for admission, as enrollment is limited. Partnering employers will post placement opportunities through the university. These positions typically span a four month term taking place either during summer break or during the school year.

While some internships are unpaid (particularly in media, advertising, PR and communications), many Canadian organizations do offer paid internships. Not all internships are entry-level positions; organizations may also offer internships for mid-level professionals. For example, in the province of Ontario, paid internships are available through Career Edge. This is a program for immigrants who have extensive experience in other countries but lack relevant Canadian experience. It is operated by the not-for-profit Career Edge Organization.

The nature and scope of unpaid internships in Canada is difficult to estimate. This is in part because there are no written regulations defining internships directly. Minimum wage for labour is covered by Employment Standards legislation and is governed at the provincial level. In Ontario, a 6-point test is applied to determine if an employee-employer relationship exists.^[19] The test is similar to that used in the United States by the Department of Labor.

United States[link]

Many internships in the United States are career specific. Students often choose internships based on their major at the university/college level. It is not uncommon for former interns to acquire full-time employment at an organization once they have enough necessary experience. The challenging job market has made it essential for college students to gain real world experience prior to graduation. In the US, company internships are at the center of NIGMS funded biotechnology training programs^[20] for science PhD students. One example is the Biotechnology Training Program - University of Virginia.

Not all internships are paid. Nearly all interns working in the United States must be paid, and at least the minimum wage, for their work in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act.^[21] Many internships that are unpaid involve receiving college credit, especially if an internship is correlated with a specific class. The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division allows an employer not to pay a trainee if all of the following are true:^[22]

1. The training, even though it includes actual operation of the facilities of the employer, is similar to what would be given in a vocational school or academic educational instruction;^[22]
2. The training is for the benefit of the trainees;^[22]
3. The trainees do not displace regular employees, but work under their close observation;^[22]
4. The employer that provides the training derives no immediate advantage from the activities of the trainees, and on occasion the employer’s operations may actually be impeded;^[22]
5. The trainees are not necessarily entitled to a job at the conclusion of the training period; and^[22]
6. The employer and the trainees understand that the trainees are not entitled to wages for the time spent in training.^[22]

An exception is allowed for individuals who volunteer their time, freely and without anticipation of compensation for religious, charitable, civic, or humanitarian purposes to non-profit organizations.^[23] An exception is also allowed for work performed for a state or local government agency.^[23]

Some states have their own laws on the subject.^[21] Laws in the state of California, for example, require an employer to pay its interns working in California unless the intern receives college credit for the labor.^[21]

South America[link]

Brazil[link]

Internships in Brazil are known as "estágios" (lit. stages) and internship workers are known as "estagiários". They are regulated by the Lei do Estágio (Law of Internship). This law demands that companies pay a monthly income, although some internships are unpaid. It also requires that companies provide Personal Injury Service. The Lei do Estágio further stipulates a 30-hour limit of hours worked per week, which is normally divided into six hours per day from Monday to Friday. Estagiários have the right to 30 days of paid holiday for each year worked.^[24]

See also[link]

• Apprentice
• Curricular Practical Training (for international students)
• Cooperative education
• Experiential education
• Externship
  • Internship (medicine)
  • Sub-internship
• Mentoring
• Practicum
• Postdoctoral researcher
• Service-learning
• Work experience

References[link]

Shane Dawson
Dawson at the Streamy Awards in 2010
Born	Shane Lee Yaw (1988-07-19) July 19, 1988 (age 23) Long Beach, California, U.S.
Occupation	YouTube video maker (actor, comedian)
Years active	2008–present
Known for	Sketch comedy, vlogging
Website
www.shanedawsontv.com

Shane Dawson (born Shane Yaw; July 19, 1988)^[1][2][3] is an American YouTube actor, comedian, and musician. Dawson is known for making comedy videos featuring many recurring characters (such as Shananay, Ned the Nerd, S. Deezy, Mom, and Aunt Hilda), impersonations (such as Paris Hilton, Miley Cyrus and Sarah Palin), and spoofs of popular music videos and television shows. As of September 2011 his main YouTube channel is the fifth most subscribed channel of all time, behind Ray William Johnson, Nigahiga, Smosh, and Machinima.com.^[4][5][6] Dawson has since expanded on YouTube by adding his second channel (twelfth most subscribed)^[4] where he posts video blogs and the series "Ask Shane", which moved to his main channel February 26, 2011.^[7]

Dawson's career began when he and several friends would turn in videos instead of homework in high school. Dawson's first videos on YouTube were old assignments that he turned in during high school.^[8][9]

In November 2009, Dawson was featured on Attack of the Show!^[10] In 2010, Forbes magazine named him their 25th most famous web celebrity.^[3]

Dawson's debut mainstream single (third overall), SUPERLUV! was released on March 31, 2012.^[11]

Personal life[link]

Dawson grew up in Long Beach, California, where he attended Lakewood High School.^[12] Dawson has revealed in a video, that as a teenager he was over-weight and would get bullied a lot, as well as being beaten by his alcoholic father, who then abandoned the family. He has since lost 150 pounds. Shane has three dogs, Miley, Charlie, and Chocolate as well as two cats, Muffins and Snoop. They often appear in his videos. He used to work in Jenny Craig, Inc. along with his mother and brother, but was fired after he uploaded a video of himself pole dancing in the building he worked in. His mother, brother and about 6 other coworkers who appeared in the video also got fired after the company saw the video.^[13] In a video he said he is a virgin, and plans to stay one until he is married as he believes strongly in sex after marriage.^[14] Shane Dawson revealed in a video that he and an unknown female broke up from their relationship, which lasted about a year.^[15] He decided to not release the female's identity in order to preserve her from getting negative criticism. In March 2012, Dawson stated that he was in a relationship with fellow YouTuber, Lisa Schwartz.^[16]

Dawson currently resides in Sherman Oaks, California.^[17]

YouTube channels[link]

Dawson posts new videos on his main channel, ShaneDawsonTV, every Saturday and video blogs on his second channel, ShaneDawsonTV2, throughout the week.^[18] Every Monday, posted on his second channel, he also has an "Ask Shane" webseries where he answers questions from his viewers. This series is similar to a previous web series, "Viewer Orgy Party", which currently only airs approximately once a month. His third YouTube channel, Shane, is where he posts unedited videos directly from his iPhone. He began using this channel in May, 2010. Starting in 2012 Shane had announced he would be making daily blogs (video blog) on his iPhone channel. He has also begun a new series called "Shane and Friends" on his main channel which he does once every month. This series includes him giving advice and talking as basically all his characters. Shane often collaborates with other YouTubers or appears in their videos, such as BrittaniLouiseTaylor, TheFineBros, JoeNationTV, and ijustine.

In August 2010, he announced that he was going to write a television pilot and post it on his main channel, featuring himself and his characters from previous videos, about him in high school.

Television projects[link]

On August 11, 2010, Dawson announced that he was in the making of a 30-minute pilot which he will call SD High. Previously, the funding he needed for the pilot was provided by digital media group Take180 after he helped them out with acting in their own videos.^[19] The pilot is based on two previous videos which Dawson uploaded to his main channel in Summer 2010. In his previous videos, the story centers around a teenage boy in school, and his interactions with the other characters. The pilot was due to be released towards the end of September 2010 on his main YouTube Channel, however Dawson later announced that he had been contacted by a television studio to produce the pilot for their TV channel(s).^[20] According to Dawson, there is some uncertainty involving the pilot, however it may be a TV show in the future.^[21] On March 26, 2011, Dawson uploaded a video to YouTube explaining to his audience that he's working with Happy Madison Productions, Sony Pictures, and some other YouTubers including TheFineBros and BrittaniLouiseTaylor to create the television show.^[22] The video contains an explanation from Dawson about what he's working on, and a 'mock trailer', made up of clips from previous episodes on his YouTube channel, for the show.

In January 2012, Dawson stated in a video that he was now working on a new television show, which would be semi-based on his life working at a Weight Loss center. He stated that he would be pitching the show soon, and that he was "really excited" for it, and stated the show was "kind of like Arrested Development, but - not."^[23] Recently, Shane, on May 16, 2012, announced in his daily vlog that he was working on a professional horror-comedy movie. "I want to write something like a teen comedy but like scary and fun," said Dawson in the vlog, Day 96.

Music projects[link]

In 2012, Dawson revealed in his Vlogs that he was working on a music project. In March 2012, Dawson revealed that his debut mainstream single, SUPERLUV! would be released that month. The song was released on March 31, 2012 on iTunes, with an accompanying music video debuting on his YouTube channel on the same day. The song managed to chart at 87 in Ireland, 16 on the UK Indie Chart and reached the 28th spot on the US iTunes Pop Chart.

On May 8, 2012, Dawson revealed in a video that he has begun working on his next original song, which is tentatively titled The Vacation Song. He previewed about 10 seconds of the "rough edit" of the song, and stated that he was going to change the mood of the song, saying, "Right now, it's a little too happy, because it's a break up song. I want it to be more like Kelly Clarkson's Since You've Been Gone." He stated that the song would "hopefully" be released by the beginning of June 2012.^[24]

Major productions[link]

• Hot Teens Gone Wild on Degrassi! Part 1 - November 21, 2009 (11-minute long special)
• Hot Teens Go Wild on Degrassi! Part 2 - March 6, 2010 (12-minute long special)
• SD High: School Dance Disaster - July 3, 2010 (SD High Episode 1) (8-minute long special)
• SD High: High School Drama - July 31, 2010 (SD High Episode 2) (9-minute long special)
• Haunted House Party - October 30, 2010 (Interactive Halloween special)
• Shane Dawson's Love Story - December 18, 2010 (10-minute long Christmas special)
• SD High: Teens Gone Wild - March 26, 2011 (SD High Episode 3) (7-minute long special)
• Final Destination: The Game - July 2, 2011 (Interactive special based on the Final Destination film series )
• Friends 4Ever - October 29, 2011 (22-minute long Halloween short film)
• How Shananay Stole Christmas - December 17, 2011 (15-minute long Christmas special)

Dawson will play a character named Binder in the upcoming feature-length horror film, Smiley (directed by YouTuber Michael Gallagher and produced by Level 10 Films) which has finished filming and is currently in post-production. It will be released in theaters and DVD in 2012.^[25]

Discography[link]

Singles[link]

Note: These are only songs Shane has released officially to iTunes as singles. He has also released a set of ringtones on iTunes, also available to download as tracks, and he releases all his parodies free on a media sharing website.

Awards and nominations[link]

Dawson has been nominated for various awards.^[26] On August 9, 2010, Dawson won the award for Choice Web Star at the 2010 Teen Choice Awards. Although the category was not featured at the awards show, Dawson stated in a video that he posted to YouTube the next day that "It was just great to be nominated and at the show itself". The nominees for that category included fellow YouTubers Justine Ezarik, Charles Trippy, Lucas Cruikshank, best known for his Fred character, and singer Greyson Chance. Dawson was nominated for Choice Web Star in the 2011 Teen Choice Awards, but lost to Rebecca Black.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Shane Dawson at the Internet Movie Database
• Official Website
• ShaneDawsonTV, Shane Dawson's YouTube channel

Charlie Sheen
Sheen on March 11, 2009
Born	Carlos Irwin Estevez (1965-09-03) September 3, 1965 (age 46)[1] New York City, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1974–present
Spouse	Donna Peele (1995–1996) Denise Richards (2002–2006) Brooke Mueller (2008–2011)[2]
Children	5
Parents	Martin Sheen (father) Janet Templeton (mother)
Relatives	Emilio Estevez (brother) Ramon Estevez (brother) Renée Estevez (sister)
Website
www.charliesheen.com

Carlos Irwin Estevez (born September 3, 1965), better known by his stage name Charlie Sheen, is an American film and television actor. He is the youngest son of actor Martin Sheen.

His character roles in films have included Chris Taylor in the 1986 Vietnam War drama Platoon, Jake Kesey in the 1986 film The Wraith, and Bud Fox in the 1987 film Wall Street. His career has also included more comedic films such as Major League, the Hot Shots! films, and Scary Movie 3 and Scary Movie 4. On television, Sheen is known for his roles on two sitcoms: as Charlie Crawford on Spin City and as Charlie Harper on Two and a Half Men. In 2010, Sheen was the highest paid actor on television, earning US$1.8 million per episode of Two and a Half Men.^[3]

Sheen's personal life has also made headlines, including reports about alcohol and drug abuse and marital problems as well as allegations of domestic violence. He was fired from his role on Two and a Half Men by CBS and Warner Bros. on March 7, 2011. Sheen subsequently announced a nationwide tour.^[4]

Early life[link]

Sheen was born Carlos Irwin Estevez in New York City, the youngest son and third of four children of actor Martin Sheen and artist Janet Templeton.^[5] His paternal grandparents were immigrants from Galicia (northwestern Spain) and Ireland.^[6] Sheen has two older brothers, Emilio Estevez and Ramon Estevez, and a younger sister, Renée Estevez, all actors. His parents moved to Malibu, California, after Martin's Broadway turn in The Subject Was Roses. Sheen's first movie appearance was at age nine in his father’s 1974 film The Execution of Private Slovik. Sheen attended Santa Monica High School in Santa Monica, California, where he was a star pitcher and shortstop for the baseball team.^[5][7]

At Santa Monica High School, he showed an early interest in acting, making amateur Super 8 films with his brother Emilio and school friends Rob Lowe and Sean Penn under his birth name. A few weeks before graduation, Sheen was expelled from school for poor grades and attendance. Deciding to become an actor, he took the stage name Charlie Sheen. His father had adopted it in honor of the Catholic archbishop and theologian Fulton J. Sheen.^[8][9]

Acting career[link]

Film[link]

Sheen's film career began in 1984 with a role in the Cold War teen drama Red Dawn with Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell, Lea Thompson, and Jennifer Grey. Sheen and Grey reunited in a small scene in Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986). He also appeared in an episode of the anthology series Amazing Stories. Sheen had his first major role in the Vietnam War drama Platoon (1986). In 1987, he starred with his father in Wall Street. Both Wall Street and Platoon were directed by Oliver Stone. In 1988, Stone asked Sheen to star in his new film Born on the Fourth of July (1989), but later cast Tom Cruise instead. Sheen was never notified by Stone, and only found out when he heard the news from his brother Emilio. Sheen did not take a lead role in Stone's subsequent films,^[10] although he did have a cameo role in Money Never Sleeps.

In 1987, Sheen was cast to portray Ron in the unreleased Grizzly II: The Predator, the sequel to the 1976 low budget horror movie Grizzly. In 1988, he starred in the baseball film Eight Men Out as outfielder Happy Felsch. Also in 1988, he appeared opposite his brother Emilio in Young Guns and again in 1990 in Men at Work. In 1989, Sheen, John Fusco, Christopher Cain, Lou Diamond Phillips, Emilio Estévez and Kiefer Sutherland were honored with a Bronze Wrangler for their work on the film Young Guns.^[11]

In 1990, he starred alongside his father in Cadence as a rebellious inmate in a military stockade and with Clint Eastwood in the buddy cop action film The Rookie.^[5] The films were directed by Martin Sheen and Eastwood, respectively. In 1992, he starred in Beyond the Law with Linda Fiorentino and Michael Madsen. In 1994, Sheen was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.^[11] In 1997, Sheen wrote his first movie, Discovery Mars, a direct-to-video documentary revolving around the question, "Is There Life on Mars?". The next year, Sheen wrote, produced and starred in the action movie No Code of Conduct.^[12]

Sheen appeared in several comedy roles, including the Major League films, Money Talks, and the spoof Hot Shots! films. In 1999, Sheen appeared in a pilot for A&E Network, called Sugar Hill, which was not picked up. In 1999, Sheen played himself in Being John Malkovich. He also appeared in the spoof series Scary Movie 3 and follow up Scary Movie 4.

Sheen appears as Dex Dogtective in the unreleased Lionsgate animated comedy Foodfight.^[12]

Sheen has been cast to star alongside Jason Schwartzman in Roman Coppola's upcoming film A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charlie Swan III.^[13]

Television[link]

In 2000, Sheen debuted on the small screen when he replaced Michael J. Fox for the last two seasons of the sitcom Spin City. For his work on Spin City, Sheen was nominated for two ALMA Awards and won his first Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy.^[14][15] The series ended in 2002.

In 2003, Sheen was cast as Charlie Harper in the CBS sitcom Two and a Half Men, which followed the popular Monday night time slot of Everybody Loves Raymond. Sheen's role on Two and a Half Men was loosely based on Sheen's bad boy image.^[16] The role garnered him an ALMA Award and he gained three Emmy Award nominations and two Golden Globe award nominations.^[14] During his eighth and final season on the show, Sheen earned a record $1.8 million per episode.^[3]

Warner Bros. dismissal[link]

In January 2011, production of Two and a Half Men went on hiatus while Sheen underwent a substance rehabilitation program in his home, his third attempt at rehab in twelve months.^[17][18][19] The following month, however, CBS canceled the season's four remaining episodes after Sheen publicly made derogatory comments about the series' creator, Chuck Lorre,^[20] and Warner Bros. officially banned Sheen from entering its production lot.^[21] Sheen, already the highest-paid actor on television,^[3] responded by publicly demanding a 50 percent raise,^[22] claiming that in comparison to the amount that the series was making, he was "underpaid."^[22]

CBS and Warner Bros. fired Sheen from Two and a Half Men on March 7, 2011.^[23] He was replaced by Ashton Kutcher.^[24][25] In the aftermath of his dismissal, Sheen remained vocally critical of Chuck Lorre,^[26] and filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against Lorre and Warner Bros., which was settled the following September 26.^[27] That same month, Sheen, while presenting an award at the Primetime Emmy Awards, addressed "everybody here from Two and a Half Men" and stated, "From the bottom of my heart, I wish you nothing but the best for this upcoming season. We spent eight wonderful years together and I know you will continue to make great television."^[28]

Meltdown[link]

This section requires expansion.

In the wake of the dismissal, Sheen had a highly publicized "meltdown" which was broadcast on television and the internet. He made bizarre statements in television interviews, suggesting that he was a "warlock" with "tiger blood" and "Adonis DNA".^[29] He also posted videos to YouTube showing himself smoking cigarettes through his nose, and cursing out his former employers. ^[30] He told one TV interviewer, "‘I’m tired of pretending I’m not special. I’m tired of pretending I’m not a total bitchin’ rock star from Mars."^[31]

Other[link]

On September 19, 2011, Sheen was roasted on Comedy Central. It was watched by 6.4 million people, making it the highest rated roast on Comedy Central to date.^[32]

Other ventures[link]

In 2006, Sheen launched a clothing line for kids, called Sheen Kidz.^[33]

In 2011, Sheen set a new Guinness World Record for Twitter as the "Fastest Time to Reach 1 Million Followers" (adding an average of 129,000 new followers per day^[34]) as well as the Guinness record for "Highest Paid TV Actor Per Episode – Current" at $1.25 million while he was a part of the cast of Two and a Half Men sitcom.^[35] On March 3, 2011, Charlie Sheen signed with Ad.ly marketing agency specializing in Twitter and Facebook promotions.^[36][37]

Sheen's "My Violent Torpedo of Truth/Defeat is Not An Option" tour on the marquee of Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

On March 10, 2011, Sheen announced a nationwide tour, "My Violent Torpedo of Truth/Defeat is Not An Option", which began in Detroit on April 2.^[38] The tour sold out in 18 minutes, a Ticketmaster record.^[39] However, on April 1, 2011 the Detroit Free Press featured an article that stated as of March 30 that there were over 1000 tickets available from a third-party reseller, some at 15% less than the cheapest seats sold at the Fox Theater.^[40] The Huffington Post reported that it was expected Sheen would earn $1 million in 2011 from Twitter endorsements and $7 million from the North American tour.^[41] Many of those attending the April 2 performance in Detroit found it disappointing;^[42] the subsequent performance in Chicago, which featured some adjustments, received a more positive reception.^[43]

Sheen has taken up a new business venture as a partner in a line of electronic cigarettes. The "NicoSheen" product will feature the actor's signature smirk on packages of disposable E-cigarettes and related products.^[44]

On August 13, 2011, Sheen appeared as a host at the 12th annual Gathering of the Juggalos. He received a mixed reaction from the audience. Some cheered him, and some booed and threw things at him.^[45]

Personal life[link]

Family and relationships[link]

Sheen has been married three times and has five children. His first daughter, Cassandra Jade Estevez, was born on December 12, 1984, to his former high school girlfriend, Paula Profit.^[46][47]

In January 1990, Sheen accidentally shot his fiancee, Kelly Preston, in the arm.^[48] She broke off the engagement soon after.^[49][50][51]

In the 1990s, Sheen dated a number of adult film actresses, including Ginger Lynn^[48][52][53] and Heather Hunter.^[48]

On September 3, 1995,^[54] Sheen married Donna Peele.^[55] That same year, Sheen was named as one of the clients of an escort agency operated by Heidi Fleiss.^[56] Sheen and Peele divorced in 1996.^[5]

On June 15, 2002, Sheen married actress Denise Richards. They have two daughters, Sam^[57] and Lola Sheen.^[58] In March 2005, Richards filed for divorce, accusing Sheen of alcohol and drug abuse and threats of violence.^[59] The divorce was finalized in November 2006 and preceded a custody dispute over their two daughters.^[60][61][62]

On May 30, 2008, Sheen married Brooke Mueller, who later gave birth to their twin sons, Bob and Max.^[63][64][65] In November 2010, Sheen filed for divorce. On March 1, 2011, police removed Bob and Max from Sheen's home. Sheen told NBC's Today, "I stayed very calm and focused."^[66] According to People, social services took the children after Mueller obtained a restraining order against Sheen. The document said, "I am very concerned that [Sheen] is currently insane."^[67] Asked if he would fight for the children, Sheen texted People, "Born ready. Winning."^[67] Sheen and Mueller's divorce became final on May 2, 2011.^[2][68][69]

On March 1, 2011, Sheen was concurrently living with pornographic actress Rachel Oberlin and model and graphic designer Natalie Kenly, whom he collectively nicknamed his "goddesses".^{[70][71][72][73][74]} Oberlin left Sheen in April 2011, and Kenly left in June 2011.^[75][76]

Substance abuse and legal issues[link]

On May 20, 1998, Sheen overdosed while using cocaine and was hospitalized. On August 11, 1998, Sheen, already on probation for a previous drug offense, had his probation extended for an extra year and entered a rehab clinic.^[77][78] In a 2004 interview, Sheen admitted that the overdose was caused by his experimentation with injecting cocaine.^[79]

On December 25, 2009, Sheen was arrested for assaulting his wife, Brooke Mueller. He was released the same day from jail after posting an $8,500 bond.^[80][81] Sheen was charged with felony menacing, as well as third-degree assault and criminal mischief.^[82] On August 2, 2010, Sheen pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault as part of a plea bargain that included dismissal of the other charges against him. Sheen was sentenced to 30 days in a drug rehab center, 30 days of probation, and 36 hours of anger management.^[83]

On October 26, 2010, the police removed Sheen from his suite at the Plaza Hotel after he reportedly caused $7,000 in damage.^[84] According to the NYPD, Sheen admitted to drinking and using cocaine the night of the incident.^[84] He was released after entering a hospital for observation.^[85]

Political views and activities[link]

Charitable activities[link]

Sheen was the 2004 spokesperson for the Lee National Denim Day breast cancer fundraiser that raised millions of dollars for research and education regarding the disease. Sheen stated that a friend of his died from breast cancer, and he wanted to try to help find a cure for the disease.

A major donor and supporter of Aid For AIDS since 2006, Sheen was honored with an AFA Angel Award, one of only a few ever given, at the nonprofit's 25th Silver Anniversary Reception in 2009.^[86] In addition to his financial support, he has volunteered to act as a celebrity judge for several years for their annual fundraiser, Best In Drag Show,^[87] which raises around a quarter of a million dollars^[86] each year in Los Angeles for AIDS assistance.^[88][89] He has brought other celebrities to support the event, including his father, actor Martin Sheen.^[90] Sheen's interest in AIDS was first reported in 1987 with his support of Ryan White, an Indiana teenager who became a national spokesperson for AIDS awareness after being infected with AIDS through a blood transfusion for his hemophilia.^[91][92]

On March 27, 2008, Sheen and Jenna Elfman co-hosted a New York Rescue Workers Detoxification Project charity event.^[93]

Sheen is donating one dollar from each ticket sold from his “My Violent Torpedo of Truth/Defeat is Not An Option Show” 2011 tour to the Red Cross Japanese Earthquake Relief Fund.^[39]

In 2011, Sheen took on a Twitter challenge by a grieving mother to help critically ill babies born with Congenital diaphragmatic hernia by supporting CHERUBS – The Association of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Research, Awareness and Support.^[94]

September 11 attacks[link]

On March 20, 2006, Sheen stated that he questions the U.S. Government's account of the September 11 attacks.^[95] He said during the interview that the collapse of the World Trade Center towers looked like a controlled demolition.^[96][97]

Sheen has since become a prominent advocate of the 9/11 Truth movement.^[98] On September 8, 2009, he appealed to President Barack Obama to set up a new investigation into the attacks. Presenting his views as a transcript of a fictional encounter with Obama, he was characterized by the press as believing the 9/11 Commission was a whitewash and that the administration of former President George W. Bush may have been responsible for the attacks.^[99][100]

Filmography[link]

Films[link]

Short films[link]

Television[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Charlie Sheen

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Charlie Sheen

• Official website
• Charlie Sheen at the Internet Movie Database
• Charlie Sheen: Life and Times – slideshow by Life magazine