Construction

           Charlie Sheen's intertextual projects portray his "Bad Boy" image through the fictional characters he plays. In 1986 Sheen had a small role in the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off (Hughes, 1986).  In this small role his demeanor and natural arrogance shines through overshadowing his appearance.  With these combines traits we come to see Charlie Sheen as the "Bad Boy."  This was the first time we see Sheen in a role parallel to his persona.  Dyer makes the point that these intriguing roles and personas of fictional characters help shape the public opinion of actors.  These opinions are then projected throughout the media (Dyer, pg 53)

            The "Bad Boy" social type is different then that of Dyer's "Rebel," but could be considered as a subtype of that category.  The "Bad Boy" lacks acceptance of perceived  norms and values.  The social type of the "Bad Boy" is usually in conflict with mainstream culture.  The "Bad Boy" can often times be the hero or convey hero-like qualities.  He is most time masculine and handsome which makes him appealing to both sexes.  Men want to be like him and women want to be with him.  He many times has that "it" thing that draws people in. Dyer proclaims that the "Rebel" has a different set of subcategories including, "the immigrant, the rebel against his own class, generation gap rebel, and the anti-hero rebel" (Dyer, pg 52) to name a few.  In many  cases "The Rebel" is seen as socially irresponsible or socially inadequate.  These characteristics do not cleanly fit in the "Bad Boy" social type.

            Charlie Sheen's next role portraying this "Bad Boy" image was in the 1989 sports comedy Major League.  In this role Sheen plays Ricky Vaughn, a ex-convict pitcher, who goes by the nickname of "Wild Thing."  This nickname comes from his lack of accuracy while pitching, but also from his constant disregard for the rules of the team as well as society.  Ricky Vaughn is loved by his fans (especially women) and hated by opposing teams and their fans.  This is important because whether you love him or hate him he evokes an emotion in which the audience can relate.  He has hero-like qualities in the way that he is able to come through for his team, fans, and the city of Cleveland.  Although, the "Bad Boy" his hero-like qualities overtake his rebel-like behavior.

            One year after the release of Major League Charlie Sheen's first public "Bad Boy"  event occurs when then girlfriend Kelly Preston was shot in the arm by his gun.  The incident was ruled an accident, but this was the beginning of Charlie Sheen's public "Bad Boy" persona. In 1995 Sheen was listed, as one of many celebrity clients, in the trial against madam Heidi Fleiss.  Sheen's comments regarding spending of 35,000 dollars on call girls was "I love sex and I can afford it."  Charlie's role as Ricky Vaughn along with the incidents following his portrayal of this character help in constructing Sheen's image as the "Bad Boy."