Actor and Hollywood bad boy Charlie Sheen, the subject of recent tabloid reports speculating that he is HIV-positive, confirmed the rumors on Tuesday and put an end to the “shakedowns” from people he had paid to keep it a secret.
“I’ve released myself from this prison today,” the former “Two and a Half Men” star said during an interview with “Today” show host Matt Lauer.
Sheen, who was in Atlanta in 2012 to film “Scary Movie 5,” said he was diagnosed about four years ago. He did not detail how he believes he became infected.
“I have a responsibility now to better myself and to help a lot of other people,” he said. “Others may come forward and say, ‘Thanks, Charlie, thanks for kicking the door open.”
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics show that 1.2 million people are living with HIV in the United States and that nearly one in seven, or 14 percent, of those individuals don’t know they are infected. Approximately 50,000 Americans are newly infected with HIV each year, the CDC data show.
Sheen said he had no idea what was wrong with him when he started experiencing crushing headaches and night-sweating episodes four years ago. He thought he might have a brain tumor and was shocked at the diagnosis.
Sheen brought his bizarre “”My Violent Torpedo of Truth/Defeat Is Not an Option” tour to the Fox Theatre in 2011, about the time he learned his diagnosis. He was at the height of his erratic behavior then, when he was tossing around nonsensical terms like “tiger blood,” calling himself a “warlock” and punctuating his rambling videos with “Winning!”
Fans mostly filled the Fox Theatre the evening of his appearance, but quickly got bored with the disorganized format.
“It seemed like everything was going fine for a while,” Sheen yelled at Fox patrons that night. “Then what happened? Do you guys just want to hear me talk?”
Lauer asked about the timing of the odd antics and his diagnosis, but Sheen blamed his behavior in those days on “roid rage.”
Tuesday’s interview was generally very genial, but Sheen did face a number of pointed questions. While he said he had notified past sexual partners including his ex-wives, and is dutiful about taking his anti-viral medication, Sheen admitted he’s had unprotected sex with two people since learning his diagnosis and seemed resigned when Lauer brought up the possibility of litigation.
For now, Sheen is focused on his health and rebuilding his career. He’s spent up to $10 million in hush money and his finances are “not great.” But his doctor, who spoke to Lauer with Sheen’s permission, sounded optimistic about his health. While Sheen has tested positive for HIV, he does not have AIDS and is “absolutely healthy,” Dr. Robert Huizenga said, noting he is more concerned about Sheen’s substance use and depression.
Sheen said he still drinks but no longer does drugs, and that the “freedom” of revealing his health status may quell his desire for drink as well.
Lauer asked if he felt relieved and Sheen said: “More than I thought possible. I feel good about it.”
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