Hollywood HIV Scandal: Does Charlie Sheen Have HIV? Tracking A Rumor From Its Start

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The world has become seemingly obsessed the last few days with reports that an A-List Hollywood actor is HIV positive and has known for years--but never shared the news with his partners.

A Hollywood Actor Reportedly Has HIV

The story has blown up as everyone tries to figure out what actor could potentially be the one behind the story, with many putting the theory out on social media that they believe it is former Two and a Half Men and Anger Management star Charlie Sheen. Nothing has been confirmed about the identity of the actor involved--and the story itself is still technically a rumor that hasn't been proven factual. But with the way it has blown up in such a short time period, it remains to be seen--just where did this story come from?

If its charlie sheen whos the Hollywood actor with HIV surely what with his Tiger Blood hes got Cat aids. #crapjoke

— LadeniferJordaniston (@Stuart_Weal) November 13, 2015

Charlie Sheen is my bet. We'll see. #Hollywood #actor #HIV — laura beales (@loggy01) November 12, 2015

The Sun has been credited as originally reporting the story since their Nov. 11 article is the one which started the frenzy over the last few days. However, the story actually goes further back than that by a little over a week, to a report first filed on Radar Online back on Nov. 2, which didn't get much traction.

Who is The Rumored Actor With HIV?

At the time, Radar reported that while the actor learned he had contracted the disease two years ago, his medical outlook is positive, though his known playboy lifestyle has led to him being scrutinized heavily in the past--and he's afraid that admitting he has HIV publicly now would only add to negative portrayals of his image, keeping him from being remembered for his work.

Their report also suggested that despite knowing he has the disease, he has continued remaining promiscuous, and could still be potentially spreading the disease to others. This behavior reportedly began again after the actor's attempts to settle down with his romantic interest at the time failed.

However, despite the shock value of the story, it still flew mainly under the radar and seemed to go unnoticed until The Sun then picked it up this week and added new details to the alleged story.

Also without specifically naming the actor, the publication claimed he may have spread it to as many as six other famous female partners--including "an award-winning actress, a stunning movie star, a celebrated media personality, a celeb with a troubled past, a TV Show favorite and a busty glamour model."

This report then led to the story blowing up--it was picked up by other major publications, specifically, The Daily Mail, and from there the story truly gained traction on Twitter.

There the guessing game has taken place with many are wondering just who the actor could be. No names have been officially confirmed, but a few have been put out there, including: 

Leonardo DiCaprio:

There is a story flying around about a popular hollywood actor who has HIV and everyone thinks it's either Sheen or DiCaprio. — AnastasiaBeaverhause (@nail_polish) November 12, 2015

Colin Farrell:

A Hollywood actor is HIV+ ?! Thats unfortunate . At 1st I thought: Charlie Sheen. But now I'm thinking: Colin Farrell or Sean Penn...

— Lerato Mathete (@LoMathete) November 12, 2015

Robert Downey Jr.:

I ain't one to spread gossip, but . . . who do you think it is? Smart money is on Charlie Sheen or Robert Downey... https://t.co/nF1Hdle1H9 — Matt Hoffberg (@HoffyTalk) November 12, 2015

and Sean Penn:

Who is the hollywood actor supposingly with HIV that has dated all these famous women?? Sean Penn? @AnnieMaggieMart do you know? — petros aliferis (@splashwog) November 12, 2015

However, a much more overwhelming consensus believes it's Sheen:

Report: World Famous Hollywood Actor is HIV-Positive https://t.co/gtfdQX1B2j via @BreitbartNews It's Charlie Sheen, imo. — PumpedUpKicks (@SupaNovaBurst) November 12, 2015

This screams of one man: Charlie Sheen https://t.co/ydLQCz6Avy — Brian Grayson (@djslybri) November 12, 2015

Apparently a well known womanising Hollywood actor has HIV.. My money is 100% on Charlie Sheen

— D.O.A (@DosOfAdrenaline) November 11, 2015

However, the collection of tweets is not scientific and we have no way of knowing for sure if the majority of Twitter users are indeed saying that it is Sheen.

Of course, some have noted that the original article from Radar also described the unnamed mystery man as being worried that he wouldn't be remembered for his acting if the truth came out. With that in mind, many have speculated that the actor in question is not Sheen, because such a statement wouldn't apply to him in their minds.

The Hollywood actor with HIV is not Charlie Sheen bc the article says the actor is fearful of the virus overshadowing his brilliant career — Robert Carr (@RobCarr24) November 13, 2015

Why are people thinking its Charlie Sheen with Hiv?? He's not considered a "Top tier Hollywood Actor"

— Pretty Green Eyes (@Poptart_Psycho) November 12, 2015

There is still no official word on the story's truth, with no sources coming forward to say they spoke to either Radar or The Sun.