One of Hollywood’s most prolific bad boys, Charlie Sheen, became the center of attention following his messy divorce from his wife, Denise Richards, with whom he shared his daughters.
Charlie Sheen is arguably one of the biggest stars to have graced the movie industry during the tail end of the last century. Sheen’s sense of humor and bad boy antics made him a fan favorite in his early years as an actor.
However, Sheen was not only an interesting character on the screen; his life away from the camera was even more dramatic. The actor was never far from the chaos, and his personal crisis sometimes hampered his glowing talent.
Denise Richards and Charlie Sheen at the 59th Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 20, 2002, in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images
Sheen has been at the center of some of Hollywood’s most intriguing love stories despite his infamous reputation. However, they all ended acrimoniously. The actor was once in a relationship with actress Kelly Preston, but things ended after reports emerged that Sheen had shot her.
The actor severally denied such allegations, and all seemed to be rosy for the “Two and a Half Men” star when he walked down the aisle with Denise Richards. However, their marriage proved to be a disaster.
Their divorce proved more popular than their marriage, as it was on every news page and blog. Richards said she never expected their split to garner as much attention as it did.
However, the divorce had more effect on Richards’s career. The actress said in an interview that she struggled to land roles after her split from the “Young Guns” star.
MEETING CHARLIE SHEEN
Richards’s career kicked off in Hollywood in 1997 with the film “Starship Troopers.” She co-starred in “Wild Things” with Neve Campbell and Kevin Bacon a year later.
She became a household name when she starred as a Bond girl alongside Pierce Brosnan in the 1999 James Bond film “The World Is Not Enough.” Richards first met Sheen during this period of her career boom.
The former couple met in 2000 on “Good Advice.” However, a relationship blossomed between the pair in 2001 after she featured in Sheen’s “Spin City.”
Charlie Sheen stars in “Two And A Half Men” with guest star Denise Richards. | Source: Getty Images
The couple tied the knot in 2002, and two years later, their daughter, Sam, was born. Sheen was already a father to his daughter, Cassandra, from a previous relationship.
Their wedding day was one of the most colorful days of their relationship. The occasion was a private Catholic ceremony witnessed by family members, including Sheen’s father, Martin Sheen. It was held at the Los Angeles home of Gary David Goldberg, the creator of Sheen’s TV show, “Spin City.”
Sheen wore a two-button tuxedo jacket made by Giorgio Armani, while the bride donned a white satin gown with a plunging back and a crystal beaded jacket. The union was a second experience for Sheen and Richards’s first taste of marriage.
Denise Richards and Charlie Sheen at the Tavern on the Green in New York City, New York. | Source: Getty Images
In an interview with Piers Morgan, Richards said Sheen’s strength and humility in overcoming his addiction were what attracted her to him. According to her, the actor was becoming a different person when they met.
A BITTER BATTLE
Sheen and Richards’s romance came to a shocking halt in 2006 after the former Bond girl filed for divorce. At the time, Richards was six months pregnant with their second daughter, Lola.
After their split, the newspapers were flooded with drama, as the two couldn’t stop hurling verbal jabs at each other. Richards accused Sheen of a series of abusive acts, while Sheen attempted to defend himself by calling her derogatory names.
Their divorce was not a pleasant experience, and this tense situation would last for years. Sheen would continue to make derogatory remarks about his wife online, and Richards, by all accounts, would respond quietly.
Denise Richards and daughters Sam Sheen (L) and Lola Sheen (R) attend the 21st annual “A Time For Heroes” celebrity picnic benefit at Wadsworth Theater on June 13, 2010 | Source: Getty Images
Richards filed a one-million-dollar lawsuit against Sheen in 2016, bringing the situation to a climax. She said he had unjustly evicted her and her children, and he had written threatening letters to the girls about her. These claims, however, did not stop Sheen and his lawyer from criticizing the actress.
According to legal records, Sheen asked Richards and her daughters to relocate into a home he had acquired next to him, promising that they would not be evicted if they did.
Richards admitted that she hesitantly consented to move into the Mulholland Estates mansion in Beverly Hills. However, Sheen’s behavior toward her and the kids, Sam and Lola, got increasingly unstable after the move.
Sheen was accused of evicting Richards and her children and failing to offer money to help them buy a new home, as his ex claimed he promised. Richards sought $1.2 million to purchase a home for her and the kids.
However, Sheen’s attorney claimed the actress had been getting $55k per month in child support payments for almost a decade. Sheen’s team said the former “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star wanted more money.
Sheen and Richards appeared to have been on the path of peace, and the actress remarked that she did not want her children to have a father-daughter war with the “Wall Street” actor.
Denise Richards, Eloise Richards, Lola Sheen and Sam Sheen attend the 3rd Annual Santa’s Secret Workshop Benefiting LA Family Housing on December 7, 2013 | Source: Getty Images
NO MORE CHILD SUPPORT
Sheen petitioned a court order to stop all child support payments for years. However, in 2021, the actor got his wish after a court ordered him to pay “zero” in child support fees. The actor said his children were living with him, and he had 100% custody of his teenagers.
The ruling came a month after Sam, the estranged couple’s child, claimed living with her mother was hell. The post was later deleted, but it showed Richard’s difficulties with the teenager.
Lola Sheen, Actress Brooke Mueller, Actor Charlie Sheen and daughter Sam Sheen at the French Connection’s “Kids connection to benefit The Art Of Elysium” on August 25, 2007 | Source: Getty Images
SHEEN’S FAMILY
Despite having a rough reputation, Sheen is a soft father and has a close relationship with his daughters. The actor’s children proudly wear the badge “daddy’s girls” as they enjoy bonding with their famous dad.
A source close to the family told HollywoodLife, “As the girls were growing up, Charlie always did his best to clear his schedule to attend their activities like their horse shows and school meetings.”
The source said the actor never wanted a lousy relationship with Richards, as he tried to ensure his separated family enjoyed a peaceful and amicable relationship.
LIFE AFTER DIVORCE
Both Sheen and Richards moved on quickly from their divorce and lived different lives. Sheen has been married three times. His first marriage was to Donna Peele from 1995 to 1996. He later married Richards from 2002 to 2006 and Brooke Mueller from 2008 to 2011.
However, since his third marriage, the actor has decided to remain single. Sheen believes marriage is not his greatest strength and has returned to being one of Hollywood’s most eligible bachelors.
Denise Richards and Aaron Phypers at a red carpet event | Source: Getty Images
Richards, like Sheen, found love years after their divorce. The actress married Aaron Phypers in 2018, and since then, they have remained a couple. However, the custody battle with Sheen has often been a source of concern.
Sources close to the couple mentioned that Phypers was unhappy over Sheen’s constant dragging of his wife and gimmicks. Lola, Sheen’s youngest daughter with Richards, spends some time with her mom, but sources confirmed that the children all love to spend time with Sheen.
Denise Richards and Charlie Sheen | Charlie Sheen, Brooke Mueller, and his daughters | Source: Getty
