Martin Sheen Opens Up About His Marriage — “My Wife Saved Me”

In its latest issue – on newsstands now – Martin Sheen opens up to Closer in an exclusive interview to talk about his 54-year marriage to wife Janet Sheen, which has sustained him through crisis.

Martin reflects on the scary moment he suffered a heart attack at age 37 while shooting the stressful Francis Ford Coppola Vietnam epic Apocalypse Now in the Philippines.

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“There was a struggle to get me to a hospital because we were in a remote area of the jungle,” Martin tells Closer.

“My wife, Janet, was running down the corridor, and I was on a gurney being wheeled in, and I looked up and saw her face. She leaned down and whispered, ‘It’s only a movie, babe. Please, it’s only a movie!’”

Martin and his wife, Janet.

Those words became a mantra for Martin, now 76, who’s weathered difficult times with his son Charlie Sheen as well as further health problems of his own.

Last December, Martin underwent quadruple-bypass heart surgery — and again it was Janet who helped him heal. “She was there the whole time and I laughed my way back,” Martin tells Closer.

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“It was very serious, and she handled it like a pro. She had me laughing in the most dire circumstances. She said, ‘Don’t take yourself so seriously.’”

So how will the couple celebrate their 55th anniversary on Dec. 23?

“We don’t fuss over it — it’s only for the kids and grandkids,” says the father-of-four, including actor Emilio Estevez. Besides, Martin adds, “Every day is a celebration with this dame.”

For more on Martin Sheen, pick up the latest issue of Closer Weekly, on newsstands now!