Martin Sheen Movies and TV Shows: Filmography & Career Guide

Few actors can say they played both a U.S. president and a possessed Vietnam War captain—and made both roles feel like second nature. Martin Sheen has spent six decades building a career that stretches from arthouse landmarks like Badlands to mainstream juggernauts like The Departed. This guide walks through his essential movies and TV shows, the stories behind them, and what keeps him in the spotlight today.

Years active: 1961–present ·
Notable role: President Josiah Bartlet on The West Wing ·
Children: 4 (including actors Charlie Sheen and Emilio Estevez) ·
Estimated net worth: $60 million ·
Major film debut: The Incident (1967)

Six facts that define Martin Sheen’s public profile:

What is Martin Sheen most famous for?

President Josiah Bartlet on The West Wing

• Portrayed President Josiah Bartlet on NBC’s The West Wing from 1999 to 2006 across 140 episodes, earning multiple Emmy nominations (Wikipedia Filmography).
• The role made him a household name as a fictional US President (Apple TV).

Captain Willard in Apocalypse Now

• Gained critical acclaim for his role as Captain Benjamin Willard in Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now (1979) (Wikipedia).
• While filming, Sheen suffered a major heart attack in 1977 but recovered to complete the role (Wikipedia).

Role in Badlands and The Departed

• His early breakout role was as Kit in Terrence Malick’s Badlands (1973) (Wikipedia).
• Later, he portrayed Captain Oliver Queenan in Martin Scorsese’s The Departed (2006) (Rotten Tomatoes).

The pattern: Sheen’s most famous roles are not just memorable characters—they are vehicles for moral complexity. Whether playing a principled president or a haunted soldier, he gravitates toward figures forced to make tough ethical choices.

What are Martin Sheen’s movies in chronological order?

1960s–1970s: Early career and breakthrough

• Uncredited role as Nick in Naked City (1958) (Plex).
• Guest appearance on My Three Sons (1964) as Randy Griggs (Wikipedia).
• Film debut in The Incident (1967).
• Breakthrough: Badlands (1973) directed by Terrence Malick (Wikipedia).
• Emmy-nominated TV movie The Execution of Private Slovik (1974) (Wikipedia).
• Apocalypse Now (1979) – iconic role as Captain Willard (Rotten Tomatoes).

1980s–1990s: Prolific character actor

• Gandhi (1982) – played journalist Vince Walker (Wikipedia).
• Kennedy (1983) – portrayed President John F. Kennedy in the miniseries.
• Gettysburg (1993) – played Gen. Robert E. Lee (Plex).
• Voiced Sly Sludge on Captain Planet and the Planeteers (1990, seasons 1–3) (Wikipedia Filmography).
• Murphy Brown guest appearance as Nick Brody (1993) (Wikipedia Filmography).

2000s–present: Blockbusters and legacy

• The West Wing (1999–2006) – President Bartlet.
• Catch Me If You Can (2002) – Roger Strong, directed by Steven Spielberg (Wikipedia Filmography).
• Two and a Half Men (2005) – Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy (Wikipedia).
• The Departed (2006) – Captain Queenan (Rotten Tomatoes).
• The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) – Uncle Ben.
• Come Sunday (2018) – Oral Roberts (Rotten Tomatoes).
• Judas and the Black Messiah (2021) – J. Edgar Hoover (Rotten Tomatoes).
• The Fabelmans (2023) – cameo appearance.
• Downwind (2023) – narrator; 100% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes (Rotten Tomatoes).
• Aquariums: The Dark Hobby (2025) – producer (Rotten Tomatoes).

The catch: Sheen never chased a “star vehicle” – he built a filmography on character roles, letting directors like Malick, Spielberg, and Scorsese shape his legacy.

What TV shows has Martin Sheen appeared in?

The West Wing (1999–2006)

• 140 episodes as President Josiah Bartlet, earning critical acclaim and Emmy nominations (Wikipedia Filmography).

Guest appearances and miniseries

• As The World Turns (1965–1970) – Jack Davis (Plex).
• The Outer Limits, The Streets of San Francisco – earlier TV credits.
• Kennedy (1983) – played JFK in the miniseries.
• Murphy Brown (1993) – Nick Brody (Wikipedia Filmography).
• Two and a Half Men (2005) – guest role, Emmy nomination.
• Grace and Frankie (2015–2022) – recurring role as Robert Hanson.
• The Morning Show – recent guest appearance.

Recent television work

• Anne of Green Gables: Fire & Dew (2017) – Matthew Cuthbert (Rotten Tomatoes).
• Voice work in Flatland: The Movie (2007) – Arthur Square (Wikipedia Filmography).

The trade-off: Sheen traded the big-screen leading man trajectory for a deeper, more varied resume, especially on television where he found his defining role.

What is Martin Sheen doing now?

Recent film and TV projects

• As of 2025, Sheen still takes selective acting roles, including voice work and guest spots.
• He appeared in The Morning Show and The Fabelmans (2023).
• Narrated the acclaimed documentary Downwind (2023) (Rotten Tomatoes).
• Producing Aquariums: The Dark Hobby (2025) (Rotten Tomatoes).

Political activism and public speaking

• Remains active in anti-war and environmental causes.
• Has been arrested multiple times for nonviolent protests.
• Continues to speak publicly about social justice issues.

The implication: Even in his 80s, Sheen prioritizes projects with a conscience – his producing and narrating choices mirror his long-standing activism.

Is Martin Sheen related to Charlie Sheen?

Father-son relationship

• Martin Sheen is the father of Charlie Sheen (born Carlos Estévez) (Wikipedia).
• Charlie Sheen is known for roles in Two and a Half Men and Platoon.

Emilio Estevez and family acting dynasty

• Emilio Estevez changed his last name to his father’s stage surname; he is Sheen’s son (Wikipedia).
• The Sheen–Estevez family includes actors Charlie Sheen, Emilio Estevez, and siblings Ramon and Renée.

Why this matters: The family tree is a frequent point of reader curiosity, and it underscores how Sheen’s influence extends beyond his own work into a Hollywood dynasty.

“It was the honor of a lifetime to play a man of integrity.”

— Martin Sheen on his role in The West Wing, interview with The Guardian (2014)

“He taught us that acting is about empathy.”

— Emilio Estevez on his father’s influence, E! News (2019)

For readers who want to explore more about other actors with diverse filmographies, check our guides on Matt Smith Movies and TV Shows and the Cast of Thirteen Lives.

Martin Sheen’s career is a masterclass in versatility and conviction. From the jungles of Vietnam to the White House, from animated villains to real-life historical figures, he has never stopped taking risks. For the fan trying to understand his body of work, the takeaway is simple: follow the character, not the billing. Sheen’s most memorable roles are the ones that let him speak truth to power – on screen and off. For viewers looking for substance over spectacle, his filmography is a goldmine.