In a surprising turn of events, sources reveal that Charlie Sheen, 57, is seeking to mend fences with his former "Two and a Half Men" collaborator Chuck Lorre, in hopes of landing a role in an upcoming HBO Max series.
The actor, who once publicly insulted Lorre by calling him a "clown," a "turd," and a "stupid, stupid little man," is reportedly trying to get a role in Lorre's co-created series, "How to Be a Bookie."
An insider shares, "Charlie has been radioactive and damaged goods since his tirade against Chuck and the way he departed Men. With work having dried up, he had no choice but to beg for Chuck’s forgiveness and another shot in one of his productions. And Chuck came through!"
Charlie Sheen, who was once the highest-paid actor on television, earning $1.8 million per episode, saw his career take a nosedive after being fired from "Two and a Half Men" in 2011. His controversial admission to having unprotected sex while knowing he was HIV-positive, followed by a stint in rehab for crack-cocaine use, further tarnished his reputation. In legal documents, Sheen claimed that he had been "blacklisted from many aspects of the entertainment industry."
The lack of steady work has reportedly put a strain on Sheen's finances, forcing the youngest son of Martin Sheen to abandon his Beverly Hills mansion lifestyle and resort to using digital coupons to make ends meet.
A source close to the situation marvels, "It’s really incredible that Chuck was able to find room in his heart to give Charlie a job!" As Sheen attempts to rebuild his career, it remains to be seen whether this collaboration will mark a new beginning for the once-prolific actor.
Charlie Sheen's Co-Star Jon Cryer Disapproved of His Massive Salary Before Rehab
The sitcom "Two and a Half Men" has long been a fan favorite, starring Jon Cryer and Charlie Sheen in lead roles. The show brought significant earnings for both the cast and creators, with Sheen even becoming the highest-paid actor on television at one point. However, personal issues ultimately led to Sheen's dismissal from the show that was his most lucrative project.
Charlie Sheen's tumultuous final days on the show made headlines, as his career faced a decline due to substance abuse and other personal problems. Despite these issues, Sheen remained the highest-paid actor, causing concern for co-star Jon Cryer.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Cryer commented on Sheen's salary and behavior during his time on "Two and a Half Men." Cryer noted that Sheen was increasingly moving away from sobriety, which negatively impacted his work on the show. Show creator Chuck Lorre even encouraged Cryer to speak with Sheen about his struggles, but the conversation never took place, as Sheen entered rehab shortly after.
Cryer expressed his dissatisfaction with Sheen's whopping $1.8 million per episode salary, jokingly suggesting he might engage in some high-profile controversies to boost his own earnings. Despite his considerable income, Sheen felt underpaid and publicly criticized Chuck Lorre, ultimately leading to his replacement by Ashton Kutcher on the show.
When asked about his actions during an interview with Yahoo, Charlie Sheen admitted he mishandled the situation and expressed regret for his behavior. He said, "There was 55 different ways for me to handle that situation, and I chose number 56." Sheen acknowledged his mistakes, calling his conduct "desperately juvenile."
In a recent report from Deadline, it was revealed that Charlie Sheen and Chuck Lorre may soon reunite for an HBO Max comedy series called "How to Be a Bookie." Although Sheen starred in the FX series "Anger Management" for two seasons from 2012 to 2014, this new project could mark a significant comeback for the actor.