Martin Sheen (born Ramón Gerardo Antonio Estévez on August 3, 1940) is an American actor. He earned recognition for his performances as Captain Willard in the film Apocalypse Now and as President Josiah Bartlet on the long-running television drama series The West Wing. Apart from the recognition he earned as an actor, Sheen has gained visibility as an activist whose political views are closely intertwined with his personal religious convictions..