Bartlet4America News Archive

'Wing' and a Player

by Liz Smith
Newsday

May 14, 2003

HAD A LONG CHAT with the President of the United States yesterday - oops, I mean the fictional president, Martin Sheen of "The West Wing." This marvelous actor, who has already played John and Robert Kennedy and heavens know how many fabled other acting roles, has become a lighting rod of activism. His TV president remains a kind of candlelit beacon for faltering Democrats and out-of-style liberals.

Martin and his "West Wing" troops are a bit on the ropes, what with the departure of the show's creator Aaron Sorkin and director, Tommy Schlamme. He says, "We felt a bit like we'd been orphaned for a few days, but after the initial shock, we determined to regroup and get behind our producer John Wells and carry on."

Do they have hard feelings at the Sorkin-Schlamme departure? "No, it was always true that Aaron was drawing to a very difficult phrase. His style, and the way he wrote - well, he almost couldn't do it on demand, and yet he did it, over and over. His work was so intelligent, so incredible.

"But we have a solid staff. We still need a new head writer, and there is no other Aaron Sorkin. He was 'The West Wing,' but we will find our way. We are on for two more years should it continue, and I'll stick around for as long as it does."

I kidded Martin about spending most of his time in jail because of his activist causes. He laughed. "I'm never comfortable unless I'm uncomfortable," Sheen said. "But I think it's important for this show to go on. I try now to keep a rather low profile, because my work on the show is more important than making some statement. If the voice of 'The West Wing' is ever silenced, we'll all be the poorer for it. Many people seem to be against what we stand for, but many others depend on us and are backing us up."

When I asked this actor-activist who he is supporting politically, he said, "Howard Dean. He is not afraid to lose."

Martin Sheen goes with his family to Tipperary, Ireland, next week to celebrate what would have been the 100th birthday of his late mother. Her relatives are all coming together as Irish-Americans. "That's positively Kennedy-esque!" I said, as I bid my favorite president goodbye.