Actor and activist Martin Sheen will speak at Penn as the Social Planning and Events Committee's spring speaker.
Making his first speech at a university, Sheen will appear on March 29 in Irvine Auditorium at 8 p.m.
Most recently, the 64-year-old has played President Josiah Bartlet on the television show The West Wing since 1999, a part for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe Award.
According to SPEC Connaissance co-Director Mark Guterman, "most of campus would probably recognize him from that" role.
Television aside, Sheen has had a prolific career in the movie industry. He has appeared in 147 films since 1954 and received acclaim for his role in the Academy Award-winning film Apocalypse Now.
SPEC Connaissance's fall speakers were Howard Dean and Pat Buchanan, both well-known politicians. This time, organizers decided to look for a different type of speaker.
Organizers decided that a speaker should have a "background in the entertainment industry," Guterman said.
Sheen's sons, Emilio Estevez, 42, and Charlie Sheen, 39, have also had successful careers in the entertainment industry.
Organizers believe Sheen will make a good speaker because of his history of activism.
"Sheen [is] a good combination between substance and a television actor," Guterman said. "He has a bit more to say than just his career."
Sheen has been active in charities such as the San Carlos Foundation, which supports Spanish-speaking third-world countries. Sheen's father was of Spanish origin, and Sheen himself was born Ramon Estevez, but he changed his name early in his film career.
Sheen will be donating his entire speaking fee to charity, Guterman said.
"Sheen's contributions and humanitarian work with the underprivileged make him a role model to the University community," SPEC Connaissance co-Director Jeff Shuster said in the press release.
Yet Sheen's past involvement in activist causes has resulted in run-ins with authorities. He has been arrested numerous times for protests over issues ranging from military policy to treatment of farm workers.
Organizers, however, stuck by their choice.
"That doesn't change our decision about bringing him to Penn because it reinforces the idea that he has strong convictions," Guterman said.
Sheen's political involvement included tours in 2000 and 2004, during which he and other celebrities appeared publically to support the Democratic presidential candidates. His character on The West Wing is a Democrat from New Hampshire.
Approximately 1,260 people will be able to attend the event, and 1,100 will be able to receive tickets through an online lottery.
Students can enter the lottery, located at SPECevents.net, beginning tomorrow. The lottery will close March 22 at 9 p.m., after which winners will be informed via e-mail.
Each semester, SPEC Connaissance brings a prominent figure to campus. Past speakers have included the late Christopher Reeve, Billy Joel and Rudy Giuliani.
