It's been two days since Charlie Sheen publicly revealed that he is HIV-positive, and while celebrities, fans, and even Sheen's father have praised the actor for his bravery to talk about his health, it turns out that his HIV diagnosis wasn't exactly a secret.
Sheen's diagnosis was the topic of conversation and laughter among Sony executives, according to emails leaked during Sony's hacking scandal last year, Variety reported. In the email, which was sent in March 2014, a Sony executive joked about the actor's work ethics, questioning if he would turn up for work, considering he's a "drug addict" and "HIV positive."
"I think I will win the 90/10 bet on the over under on this ...it's hard to to be a drug addict and be HIV positive and do 40 [episodes] a year," read the email, which included a link to a TV Week article about how crew members were threatening to quit FX's series "Anger Management" after Sheen was a no-show on the set, according to The Washington Post.
Hitting the 100 episodes mark would send the show into syndication. "90/10" reportedly referred to a deal explaining that if 10 episodes did well, then the network would order 90 more episodes. The show reportedly had an overly aggressive filming schedule due to production trying to complete 100 episodes in a two-year time period.
Those who reportedly received the email include John Weiser, the President of U.S. distribution at Sony Pictures Television, and Jamie Erlicht, the President of U.S. programming and production at the company, The Mirror reported. Sheen landed the role FX's "Anger Management" after being booted from "Two and a Half Men" because of a conflict with creator Chuck Lorre.
Sheen announced that he was HIV-positive on the "Today" show Tuesday.
"I am here to admit that I am in fact HIV positive," he told Matt Lauer. "I have to put a stop to this onslaught, this barrage of attacks and sub-truths, and very harmful and mercurial stories that threaten the health of so many others that couldn't be farther from the truth."
The actor also revealed that he has paid people "millions" of dollars to keep quiet about his HIV-positive status. Sheen is planning on writing a memoir about his life, including his career and HIV diagnosis, according to Entertainment Tonight.
