Michael Sheen reveals he's 'juggling debt' despite career success: 'I don't have that much money'
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Michael Sheen is opening up about his financial situation, revealing in a recent interview that he is currently "juggling debt".
The 56-year-old 'Twilight' star, widely recognized as one of Wales’ most accomplished actors with an impressive resume of film and television roles, admitted that he’s currently facing financial challenges—struggles that mirror those experienced by many, despite his career success.
Michael Sheen opens up on money woes
Michael Sheen may have appeared in major franchises like 'Twilight', but he doesn’t view himself as particularly wealthy.
“It’s interesting when people talk about me as a multimillionaire. Because no — I don’t have that much money. I mean, I have money compared to lots of people, but this is about juggling debt. I’m still paying off the Homeless World Cup. It’s not like I have all this spare cash. And there are times I can put money into things and times when I can’t,” he told The Times of London.
“Arts Council Wales gave National Theatre Wales transitional funding to either wrap up or come up with a plan for the future. And that plan ended up being me running the new organization. There was an argument if any of that transitional funding should come with us, and that’s now been resolved, so we will be in receipt of around £200,000. I am paying for everything else,” he explained.
The Homeless World Cup is dedicated to fighting global homelessness by harnessing the unifying power of sport.
Michael Sheen puts his money on the line to save Homeless World Cup
The Homeless World Cup was founded in 2001 by Mel Young and Harald Schmied to address global homelessness. In 2019, the international tournament made its first appearance in Cardiff, Wales, and Michael Sheen played a central role in making it happen.
When the £2 million project faced a devastating funding shortfall, Sheen didn’t hesitate. He took it upon himself to personally finance the event.
In a 2021 interview, he opened up about the financial strain: “I had a house in America and a house here, and I put those up and just did whatever it took. It was scary and incredibly stressful. I’ll be paying for it for a long time.”
Beyond organizing the event, Sheen also penned a children’s book aimed at educating young minds about homelessness, further underscoring his commitment to the cause.
Michael Sheen’s unstoppable rise
Michael Sheen's career began on the stage, where he quickly gained recognition for his powerful performances in Shakespearean roles, widely regarded as one of his finest.
His work in classical theatre established him as a formidable talent early on, with critics praising his emotional depth and commanding stage presence. He continued to shine in other major productions such as 'Romeo and Juliet', 'Peer Gynt', and 'Look Back in Anger', earning multiple award nominations throughout his theatre career.
Sheen later transitioned seamlessly into film and television, becoming known for his remarkable portrayals of real-life figures, including Tony Blair in 'The Queen' and 'The Special Relationship', and Brian Clough in 'The Damned United'.
His film work spans an impressive range of genres, from biopics and historical dramas to fantasy and sci-fi, with standout roles in 'Wilde', 'Underworld', 'Tron: Legacy', 'Midnight in Paris', and the 'Twilight saga'.
On the small screen, Sheen made a major impact with his Golden Globe-nominated performance as Dr William Masters in 'Masters of Sex'. He also gained a cult following for his role as the angel Aziraphale in 'Good Omens', showcasing his ability to balance warmth, wit, and complexity.
In recent years, Sheen has expanded his legacy beyond acting. Committed to social justice and community work, he has taken on a “not-for-profit” approach to his career, funding charitable causes and social initiatives.
