Sheen in a promotional photo for 'Anger Management.' Frank Ockenfels / FX.

Charlie Sheen has donated $250,000 to the United Service Organizations Inc. to help American servicemen and women.

The 'Anger Management' star gave the huge sum to the charity - also known as the USO - to help them continue with their mission of providing troops and their families with live entertainment to lift morale and help rehabilitate those injured in combat.

Sheen - who has overcome serious substance abuse issues - has been praised for his generosity by senior figures in the charity who are overwhelmed by his donation.

Retired Air Force Brigadier General John I. Pray, Jr. - the executive vice-president of the USO - told TMZ.com: "Sheen's support is greatly appreciated, especially from our wounded warriors and their families."

Spokesman for the USO, retired Navy Rear Admiral Frank Thorp, added: "I would reiterate how much we appreciate his generosity.

"The way we do what we do, the way we lift the spirits of the families and troops is through generous donations from the American public.

"It is heart-warming to me to see how the American people support the troops whether it's 25 cents or $25 or $250,000. So when you're talking about Charlie Sheen, we appreciate a donation of this magnitude."

The 46-year-old actor's donation will rise to at least $1 million as he has pledged to give the USO one per cent of the profits from his earnings from new FX TV series 'Anger Management', with the enormous figure being the minimum guaranteed amount.

The donation also has an unlimited cap, so the more money Sheen makes from his show the more cash goes to the charity.

It is the largest single contribution the USO has ever received from an individual.

In a statement, Sheen said: "It's an honour for me to be able to give back to these men and women of the military who have done so much for all of us.

"They put their lives on the line for us every day, and I'm just happy that my work on 'Anger Management' can bring a little bit of relief to the troops and their families."