Charlie Sheen Unveils Memoir, Reflects on Family Betrayal and Tattoo Regrets

Charlie Sheen released his long-awaited memoir The Book of Sheen on September 9, 2025, and spoke candidly about feeling betrayed by his father and regretting his tattoos during a series of high-profile interviews in New York and on Good Morning America.

In his memoir and media appearances, the former Two and a Half Men star explains how Martin Sheen’s decision to report him to authorities in 1998 felt like “the ultimate betrayal,” a turning point he now recognizes as an act of tough love. He also admitted that his collection of body art-ranging from a “Winning” wristband to a flaming baseball bicep piece-was a “terrible, stupid decision” he would undo if given the chance.

Memoir Launch and Media Tour

At a New York event with David Duchovny at 92NY on September 8, Sheen recounted being born “dead” and described how near-fatal moments shaped his identity. Gallery Books released The Book of Sheen on September 9, documenting his ascent in Hollywood, three divorces, substance-abuse battles, and eight years of sobriety-milestones he discussed live on Good Morning America the following morning.

Essence of the Story

Sheen’s reflections underscore a journey from self-destruction to self-acceptance. He frames his father’s intervention not as betrayal but as a necessary step toward recovery, and his regret over tattoos highlights a desire to erase impulsive chapters of his past. These revelations aim to demystify the “Sheen myth” and offer a raw, unvarnished portrait of one of television’s highest-paid actors turned survivor.

Behind the Confession

  • During his GMA interview, Sheen described the 1998 probation breach and how law enforcement involvement forced him into rehab, helping him confront addiction head-on.
  • In conversations with Entertainment Tonight and at the memoir event, he criticized his tattoos as permanent reminders of an uncontrolled lifestyle, admitting he’d prioritize different choices today.
  • The book charts his relationships with five children, multiple marriages, and the emotional fallout of fame, culminating in his decision to pursue lasting sobriety in 2017.

What Comes Next

Sheen’s two-part Netflix documentary aka Charlie Sheen premieres on September 10, further expanding on themes from his memoir. As he continues his media tour, the actor hopes his story of hardship and redemption will resonate with fans and those battling similar struggles.