Charlie Sheen decoded: Where 'Chaim Levine' comes from

So what was up with all that “Chaim Levine” business?

An EW reader points out that the origin of Charlie Sheen repeatedly saying Two and a Half Men exec producer Chuck Lorre (who was born Charles Michael Levine) is actually named Chaim Levine is found on Lorre’s vanity card website — specifically, vanity card #327, that aired Feb. 7 after an episode of Two and a Half Men.

On the card, Lorre talks about his visit to Israel and feeling comfortable while “surrounded with DNA much like my own.” Then he concludes:

“Which raises the question, why have I spent a lifetime moving away from that group? How did Chaim become Chuck? How did Levine become Lorre? The only answer I come up with is this: When I was a little boy in Hebrew school the rabbis regularly told us that we were the chosen people. That we were God’s favorites. Which is all well and good except that I went home, observed my family and, despite my tender age, thought to myself, ‘bull$#*!.'”

So the card at least makes Sheen’s reference, which has been called “borderline anti-Semitic,” more comprehensible.

Read more:

Anti-Defamation League criticizes Sheen for ‘borderline anti-Semitism’

Charlie Sheen says he’ll show up for work next week regardless of shutdown

Charlie Sheen not going to HBO

Sorry Charlie: Sheen won’t get paid for dumped ‘Two and a Half Men’ episodes

Charlie Sheen slams ‘Two and a Half Men’ creator in multiple rants

Dr. Drew warns of Charlie Sheen relapse, slams at-home rehab: ‘We have not heard the last of this’

Chuck Lorre: ‘If Charlie Sheen outlives me…’

Charlie Sheen talks about hitting up another ‘Major League’

Charlie Sheen going back to work

Charlie Sheen on ‘The Dan Patrick Show’: ‘I’ve never been high on the set’

Charlie Sheen offers to pay ‘Men’ crew

Charlie Sheen and Brooke Mueller Sheen granted divorce

Charlie Sheen: The amount you owe to the crew is…

• 

  By James Hibberd