Who played President Josiah Bartlet on The West Wing?

Who played President Josiah Bartlet on The West Wing? Martin Sheen played him.

Sheen’s Bartlet was the fictional Democratic president at the center of the series, a former New Hampshire governor and economist who secretly lived with multiple sclerosis. The character’s combination of intellectual confidence, moral seriousness, temper, and vulnerability became one of the show’s defining elements.

The role grew far beyond its original conception. Aaron Sorkin initially imagined the president as a less prominent figure, but Sheen’s performance and the audience’s response expanded Bartlet’s importance. The character ultimately served two terms and was succeeded by Matt Santos, played by Jimmy Smits.

A common mix-up is confusing Sheen with actors who played other prominent White House figures. Alan Alda portrayed Republican presidential candidate Arnold Vinick, while Jimmy Smits played Democratic candidate Matt Santos. Sheen also had an earlier White House role as chief of staff in the 1995 film The American President.