Michael Sheen Reveals Millions in Charitable Giving,Passion Play Turning Point on desert Island Discs
LONDON – Actor Michael Sheen,known for roles in Frost/Nixon,The Queen,and Good Omens,revealed on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs that he has given away millions of pounds of his personal wealth,keeping only what’s necessary to support his family. The candid conversation, broadcast today, also detailed a transformative 2011 theatre production and his unique approach to acting.
Sheen explained his philanthropic efforts stem from a desire to utilize his career as a means to support other initiatives while he has the opportunity. “As long as there’s money coming in and I know I can work, I’ve found a way to make it work,” he stated, admitting occasional financial anxieties but remaining committed to the practice. The interview offered a rare glimpse into the actor’s personal ideology and creative process, highlighting a dedication to both artistic expression and social duty.
The actor discussed his method acting technique, emphasizing a focus on the “inner life” of characters rather than superficial imitation. “I do enough to convince people that I’m being them, but what I’m using as the raw material is me,” Sheen explained. He admitted to never being particularly skilled at conventional impersonations, leading him to prioritize internal understanding as the foundation of his performances. “And slowly I discovered that I could do the voice, but I knew that in the process it had to be the last bit that fit into place.”
A pivotal moment in Sheen’s life occurred in 2011 with a three-day, non-stop immersive Passion play in his hometown of Port Talbot. The production, beginning with 100 people on Good Friday and culminating in a crucifixion on aberavon Beach roundabout before an audience of 12,000-20,000, proved profoundly impactful. “It ended up being problably the most unusual experiance of my life,” he said,adding it inspired his return to Wales and a commitment to supporting local groups.
The play also influenced his musical tastes, leading him to choose Peter Gabriel’s Passion (from The Last Temptation of Christ soundtrack) as one of his Desert Island Discs. He described the album as deeply inspiring,stating,”There’s something about this album that just goes somewhere quite deep in me.”
Despite a confident exterior, Sheen playfully confessed to lacking practical survival skills, imagining himself “huddled under the largest leaf I could find, shouting out” on a desert island. He drew a parallel to playing a doctor in the American series Masters of Sex, where he briefly convinced himself he could perform surgery, despite lacking the actual ability.
The full interview, and Sheen’s complete list of Desert Island Discs, is available on the BBC Sounds platform. Desert Island Discs has been a staple of BBC Radio 4 since 1948, inviting prominent figures to select eight pieces of music, a book, and a luxury item they would take with them to a desert island, offering intimate insights into their lives and passions.
