Charlie Sheen has spent decades in Hollywood, collecting stories that range from wild to unbelievable. His latest revelation involves a former president, a 1980s film set in Arkansas, and an alleged attempt to pursue his then-girlfriend. The actor detailed this encounter in his new memoir, The Book of Sheen, which hit shelves in September 2025. According to Sheen, what should have been a routine photo opportunity at the governor’s mansion turned into something far more memorable. The story involves Bill Clinton, who was serving as Arkansas governor at the time, and a comment that Sheen’s costar allegedly overheard.
The filming location that led to an unexpected encounter
Back in 1987, Charlie Sheen was in Arkansas filming “Three for the Road,” a movie that also starred Alan Ruck and Kerri Green. During production, the cast received an invitation to visit the governor’s mansion for what seemed like a standard publicity event. Bill Clinton, who was the state’s governor before his presidency, welcomed the actors for photos and pleasantries. Sheen decided to bring along his girlfriend at the time, Dolly Fox, thinking it would be a fun experience for both of them. The mansion visit included the typical political photo opportunities and small talk.
The atmosphere was described as surreal by Sheen, who received a pair of red-and-white Razorback shoes from Clinton as a gift. These shoes were modeled after the mascot of Arkansas sports teams and were admittedly tacky, which added to the odd nature of the whole experience. While Sheen was occupied answering questions from reporters, something else was apparently happening nearby. His costar Alan Ruck was positioned close enough to Clinton to overhear what would become the central detail of this story. The moment would stick with Ruck for decades.
What Alan Ruck claims he heard Clinton say
According to Sheen’s account in his memoir, while he was distracted with media questions, Ruck overheard Clinton whisper something to one of his aides. The alleged comment was simple but telling: “Find out what you can about the brunette.” The brunette in question was Dolly Fox, Sheen’s girlfriend. Sheen wrote that Ruck has maintained this was an exact quote from Clinton, never wavering from his version of events even years later. The comment suggested Clinton’s interest in learning more about Fox, which Sheen interpreted as inappropriate given the circumstances.
Ruck apparently shared what he’d heard with Fox that same evening at a bar. Rather than being upset, Fox reportedly laughed about the situation and felt flattered by the attention. Sheen admitted in his memoir that he felt conflicted about the incident. On one hand, he was bothered that his girlfriend had been objectified in that way. On the other hand, he couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of pride that someone as prominent as the governor found his girlfriend attractive. The whole situation left him with mixed feelings about what had transpired during what should have been a straightforward publicity event.
The connection Sheen drew to later political scandals
In his memoir, Sheen didn’t just recount the Arkansas incident in isolation. He drew a direct line between what allegedly happened with his girlfriend in the 1980s and the scandal that would eventually make national headlines. Specifically, he referenced Bill Clinton’s affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky, which became public in the late 1990s and led to impeachment proceedings. Sheen suggested that the behavior he witnessed in Arkansas was an early indication of patterns that would later become infamous. He mentioned the blue dress that became a key piece of evidence in the Lewinsky scandal, noting that such conduct appeared to predate Clinton’s time in the White House.
The actor wrote that he found himself “ringside for that slice of creepy history,” suggesting he’d witnessed the beginnings of behavior that would later define part of Clinton’s legacy. This interpretation of events frames the Arkansas mansion visit as more than just an awkward moment. Instead, Sheen presents it as an early glimpse into conduct that would eventually contribute to one of the most significant political scandals in American history. Whether this connection is fair or accurate remains a matter of debate, as Clinton’s representatives have not publicly responded to Sheen’s claims about the 1987 incident.
When Sheen first tried to share this story
The timing of when Sheen first attempted to tell this story adds another layer to the narrative. In 1999, during Clinton’s impeachment hearings related to the Lewinsky scandal, Sheen was in a rehabilitation facility dealing with his own struggles. He was surrounded by fellow patients when the impeachment proceedings appeared on television. Watching the hearings unfold prompted Sheen to share his Arkansas story with the group. He told them about Clinton, Dolly Fox, and what Alan Ruck had allegedly overheard back in 1987. However, the reception wasn’t what he’d hoped for.
Sheen admits he was “still pretty faded on detox meds” at the time, which may have affected how he told the story or how credible he appeared to his audience. Nobody in the rehab facility believed him. The dismissal frustrated Sheen enough that he made a promise to the skeptical group gathered around the television. He told them he would eventually put the story in a book, adding a colorful suggestion about what they could do with themselves when that day came. More than two decades later, he made good on that promise by including the account in The Book of Sheen, published in September 2025.
Who Dolly Fox was and her reaction to the incident
Dolly Fox was dating Charlie Sheen during the filming of “Three for the Road” in 1987. She accompanied him to Arkansas and was present at the governor’s mansion during the photo opportunity that forms the basis of this story. According to Sheen’s memoir, Fox didn’t learn about Clinton’s alleged comment until later that evening when Alan Ruck told her what he’d overheard. Her response was notably different from what might be expected. Rather than feeling uncomfortable or upset about being the subject of such attention, Fox apparently found humor in the situation.
Sheen wrote that Fox laughed when she heard about the comment and was actually flattered by it. This reaction suggests she didn’t view the incident as particularly threatening or offensive, at least not in the moment. Her lighthearted response may have helped diffuse what could have been a more tense situation between Sheen and his costar or between Sheen and Fox herself. The fact that Fox took the alleged comment in stride might also explain why the story didn’t gain traction at the time. Without Fox herself expressing outrage or concern, the incident remained little more than an anecdote among the people who were present that day in Arkansas.
The memoir that finally revealed the full story
“The Book of Sheen” hit shelves in September 2025, offering readers an inside look at Charlie Sheen’s life, career, and the many colorful experiences he’s accumulated over the decades. The memoir covers his childhood, his rise to fame in Hollywood, his well-documented struggles with addiction, and his relationships. Among the many celebrity encounters and wild stories included in the book, the Clinton anecdote stands out as particularly noteworthy given the political implications. Sheen reportedly wanted the book to feel intimate, as if readers were sitting with him at a small dinner party hearing these stories firsthand.
The actor described writing the memoir as the most challenging job he’d ever taken on, but also the most rewarding. The book was released alongside a two-part Netflix documentary titled “aka Charlie Sheen,” which features appearances from his ex-wives Denise Richards and Brooke Mueller, fellow actors Jon Cryer, Sean Penn, and Chris Tucker, as well as “Two and a Half Men” creator Chuck Lorre. The documentary and memoir together provide a comprehensive look at Sheen’s life, including moments that shaped him both personally and professionally. The Clinton story represents just one of many celebrity encounters Sheen shares in the book.
The response from Clinton’s representatives
As of the memoir’s publication, representatives for Bill Clinton have not issued a public statement addressing Sheen’s claims about the 1987 incident. Multiple news outlets reached out for comment when the story began circulating, but no official response has been provided. This silence leaves the allegations unconfirmed and undenied, existing only as Sheen’s recollection of events as told to him by Alan Ruck. Without corroboration from Clinton’s side or additional witnesses beyond Ruck, the story remains one person’s account of something that allegedly happened nearly four decades ago.
The lack of response could mean several things. Clinton’s team may have decided that addressing decades-old allegations from a memoir doesn’t warrant official comment. They might also be following a general policy of not engaging with every claim made about Clinton in books or media. Alternatively, they could be consulting with legal counsel about whether any response is necessary or advisable. For readers and the media, the absence of confirmation or denial means the story exists in a gray area where it’s impossible to verify but also hasn’t been officially disputed. This leaves people to make their own judgments about the credibility of Sheen’s account.
Other celebrity stories included in Sheen’s memoir
The Clinton anecdote isn’t the only notable celebrity encounter Sheen shares in his memoir. The book is filled with mentions of famous figures from Sheen’s decades in Hollywood. He writes about interactions with Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, Judd Nelson, and Andrew McCarthy, all of whom were part of the 1980s Brat Pack era when Sheen was rising to fame. There’s even a mention of O.J. Simpson, whose path crossed with Sheen’s at various points in Hollywood history. These stories provide context for understanding Sheen’s place in the entertainment industry and the circles he moved through.
The memoir also delves into more personal territory, including Sheen’s ongoing journey with sobriety and his romantic relationships over the years. He doesn’t shy away from difficult topics or moments when his behavior caused problems for himself and others. This willingness to address his own failings alongside stories about other people’s questionable conduct gives the book a confessional quality. Readers get a sense that Sheen is trying to present a complete picture of his life, including both the exciting celebrity encounters and the personal struggles that have defined much of his adult life. The various celebrity cameos throughout the book serve to illustrate the unique world Sheen has inhabited for most of his career.
Why this story matters decades later
The question of why a story from 1987 still generates interest in 2025 has several answers. First, it involves two public figures who remain in the public consciousness despite stepping back from their most prominent roles. Bill Clinton continues to be a significant figure in American political history, and any new allegations or stories about his behavior attract attention. Charlie Sheen, despite his career ups and downs, remains a recognizable name with a public following. When these two figures intersect in a story, it naturally draws media coverage and public curiosity.
Second, the story touches on ongoing conversations about how powerful men behave around women and the extent to which such behavior has been normalized or overlooked. The fact that Sheen describes feeling both bothered and proud about Clinton’s alleged interest in his girlfriend reflects the complicated attitudes that existed in the 1980s and in many ways still persist today. The anecdote serves as a small window into how such moments were processed at the time compared to how they might be viewed now. Whether the story represents something significant or merely an awkward moment depends largely on individual perspective and broader views about accountability and historical behavior patterns.
Charlie Sheen’s memoir adds another chapter to the long list of stories about Bill Clinton’s personal conduct, though this one dates back to before his presidency. Whether readers find the account credible may depend on their views of both men and their respective histories. What’s clear is that Sheen finally made good on his promise to those skeptical rehab patients back in 1999, putting the story into print for everyone to read and judge for themselves.
