Michael Sheen, a renowned TV and film star, has embarked on the most significant role of his career to date. Born in Newport and raised in Port Talbot, Sheen spent two years on a “secret” project exploring the debt and credit sector.
His initiative, ‘Michael Sheen’s Secret Million Pound Giveaway’, involved setting up a debt acquisition company to write off £1 million worth of debt for approximately 900 people in his native South Wales, using £100,000 of his own money.
The 56 year old actor has enjoyed a successful career in both British and international TV and film, earning him a reputation as one of the most respected actors of his generation. But what about his life away from the screen?
Here’s what we know about his personal life, famous partner, and decision to step back from .
What is Michael Sheen’s net worth?
Michael Sheen stars at Brian Clough in THE DAMNED UNITED.Photographer: Laurie Sparham (Image: Laurie Sparham)
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Michael Sheen’s net worth is estimated to be around $16 million, largely due to his acting career on stage, TV, and film.
His most notable roles include the Twilight films, The Queen, Staged, Good Omens, and Masters of Sex. He recently appeared in Amazon Prime Video’s ‘A Very Royal Scandal’, a dramatisation of ‘s infamous Newsnight interview.
Michael Sheen’s Secret Million Pound Giveaway sees the Welshman use £100,000 to buy peoples’ debt of varying levels and then write them off.
Michael spoke about the documentary and his approach on : “Essentially, people’s debt gets sort of put into bundles and then debt buying companies can buy those bundles. And then they can sell it off to another debt buying company at a lower price. So the debt itself (…) even though the amount that people owe is still the same (…) the people who own the debt can sell it for less and less money.”
Michael continued: “So I was able to set up a company and, for £100,000 of my own money, buy £1 million worth of debt cause it had come down in value like that because they find like … they don’t see that there’s as much chance to get the money back or whatever the reason might be. It’s bizarre.”
Michael Sheen shunning Hollywood and being a ‘not-for-profit’ actor
Welsh Charity Awards on 25/11/2024 – actor and WCVA president, Michael Sheen (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agen)
how in December 2021, Sheen announced that he had become a ‘not-for-profit’ actor and had put his homes up for sale to assist the homeless.
The actor revealed his ‘liberating’ decision to sell two of his mansions – one in the US and another in the UK – and relocate back to Wales to raise funds for those in need. Sheen opened up to the Big Issue about why he left behind to support causes closer to home.
He stated: “There was something quite liberating about going, alright, I’ll put large amounts of money into this or that, because I’ll be able to earn it back again. I’ve essentially turned myself into a social enterprise, a not-for-profit actor.”
In 2019, he made a significant contribution from his own pocket to ensure the Homeless World Cup event could take place in Cardiff. He reiterated: “There was something quite liberating about going, alright, I’ll put large amounts of money into this or that, because I’ll be able to earn it back again.
“I’ve essentially turned myself into a social enterprise, a not-for-profit actor”.
Since returning to Wales, the actor has been heavily involved in various local projects, including funding towards the new National Theatre for Wales, which is set to debut its first production in 2026. The goal is to highlight stories that reflect the heritage and voices of Wales.
Inside Michael Sheen’s love life and famous partner
Anna Lundberg and Michael Sheen attend the 2024 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on February 18, 2024 i (Image: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
Michael Sheen dated actress Kate Beckinsale in 1995 when they met during a touring production of The Seagull.
The pair were a couple for eight years and have a daughter, Lily Mo Sheen, born in 1999. They parted ways in 2003.
In 2010, Sheen found love with Canadian actress Rachel McAdams on the set of Midnight in Paris. Their romance lasted three years before they separated.
A year on, he was romantically involved with American comedian Sarah Silverman. The duo called it quits in 2017, reportedly due to the strains of a long-distance relationship.
Michael has since discovered love with Swedish actress Anna Lundberg, his partner since May 2019. They are parents to two daughters.
Anna is best known for her role alongside Michael in Staged, where they portray themselves opposite David Tennant and his wife Georgia. She also appeared in Last Train to Christmas and lent her voice to Marion in ‘s The Sandman.
Michael Sheen’s Secret Million Pound Giveaway airs at 9pm on Monday, March 10 on Channel 4 and will be available for streaming on its streaming service.