Sheen attacks Hollywood 'sleaze'

Martin Sheen is la ongtime supporter of the Democrats

Actor Martin Sheen has endorsed the views of Democratic vice-presidential candidate Joseph Lieberman that Hollywood is obsessed with sex and violence.

Sheen, speaking during a visit to his hometown to raise money for the Democratic party, said: "Half the business called Hollywood is sleaze."

A lot of what we do has very little to do with art

Martin Sheen

He added: "Lieberman is absolutely right. He's one of the few politicians willing to stand up and say that."

The actor, best known for his roles in Apocalypse Now and Wall Street, is the star of the White House-based TV series The West Wing, in which he plays the fictional President Josiah Bartlet.

He said: "A lot of what we do has very little to do with art. It has to do with sleaze and gratuitous sex and unnecessary violence."

Hollywood and Democrats

The actor has been arrested 70 times for his involvement in protests for issues such as nuclear disarmament and homelessness.

Hollywood has a long association with the Democratic party and for the forthcoming US elections celebrities have been quick to endorse Presidential candidate Al Gore.

But Lieberman's claims that Hollywood corrupts children and American culture were not taken too kindly by the movie establishment.

Joseph Lieberman: "Too much violence and sex in entertainment"

Actor Richard Dreyfuss said he feared restrictive legislation after Al Gore threatened a federal crackdown.

"If anyone was talking about legislating something and restricting Hollywood I would probably reach for my nearest Colt 45," he said.

Entertainment industry leaders denied accusations that it sells violence to children through films.

Executives said they were "attentive to the parents of this country".