Charlton Heston dead at 84

[Ban Hammer 14,291]

LOS ANGELES - Charlton Heston, who won the 1959 best actor Oscar as the chariot-racing "Ben-Hur" and portrayed Moses, Michelangelo, El Cid and other heroic figures in movie epics of the '50s and '60s, has died. He was 84.

The actor died Saturday night at his home in Beverly Hills with his wife Lydia at his side, family spokesman Bill Powers said.

Powers declined to comment on the cause of death or provide further details.

Heston revealed in 2002 that he had symptoms consistent with Alzheimer's disease, saying, "I must reconcile courage and surrender in equal measure."

With his large, muscular build, well-boned face and sonorous voice, Heston proved the ideal star during the period when Hollywood was filling movie screens with panoramas depicting the religious and historical past. "I have a face that belongs in another century," he often remarked.

The actor assumed the role of leader offscreen as well. He served as president of the Screen Actors Guild and chairman of the American Film Institute and marched in the civil rights movement of the 1950s. With age, he grew more conservative and campaigned for conservative candidates.

In June 1998, Heston was elected president of the National Rifle Association, for which he had posed for ads holding a rifle. He delivered a jab at then-President Clinton, saying, "America doesn't trust you with our 21-year-old daughters, and we sure, Lord, don't trust you with our guns."

Heston stepped down as NRA president in April 2003, telling members his five years in office were "quite a ride. ... I loved every minute of it."

Later that year, Heston was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. "The largeness of character that comes across the screen has also been seen throughout his life," President Bush said at the time.

He engaged in a lengthy feud with liberal Ed Asner during the latter's tenure as president of the Screen Actors Guild. His latter-day activism almost overshadowed his achievements as an actor, which were considerable.

Heston lent his strong presence to some of the most acclaimed and successful films of the midcentury. "Ben-Hur" won 11 Academy Awards, tying it for the record with the more recent "Titanic" (1997) and "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" (2003). Heston's other hits include: "The Ten Commandments," "El Cid," "55 Days at Peking," "Planet of the Apes" and "Earthquake."

He liked the cite the number of historical figures he had portrayed:

Andrew Jackson ("The President's Lady," "The Buccaneer"), Moses ("The Ten Commandments"), title role of "El Cid," John the Baptist ("The Greatest Story Ever Told"), Michelangelo ("The Agony and the Ecstasy"), General Gordon ("Khartoum"), Marc Antony ("Julius Caesar," "Antony and Cleopatra"), Cardinal Richelieu ("The Three Musketeers"), Henry VIII ("The Prince and the Pauper").

Heston made his movie debut in the 1940s in two independent films by a college classmate, David Bradley, who later became a noted film archivist. He had the title role in "Peer Gynt" in 1942 and was Marc Antony in Bradley's 1949 version of "Julius Caesar," for which Heston was paid $50 a week.

Film producer Hal B. Wallis ("Casablanca") spotted Heston in a 1950 television production of "Wuthering Heights" and offered him a contract. When his wife reminded him that they had decided to pursue theater and television, he replied, "Well, maybe just for one film to see what it's like."

Heston earned star billing from his first Hollywood movie, "Dark City," a 1950 film noir. Cecil B. DeMille next cast him as the circus manager in the all-star "The Greatest Show On Earth," named by the Motion Picture Academy as the best picture of 1952.

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[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Heston had been living with Alzheimer's for some years. Never really rated him much as an actor but enjoyed many of his movies:

The Omega Man

Planet of the Apes

El Cid

Ben Hur

Soylent Green

A pretty iconic figure, regardless of his politics.

Edited April 6, 2008 by Number 6

[Mina76 0]

May he rest in Peace

[Scott & Lai 12]

requiescat in pace

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Omega Man and Soilent Green were probably my favorite that he starred in. RIP.

Edited April 6, 2008 by Mister Fancypants

[Yoink 7]

who didn't love 4 hours of the 10 Commandments?

Liberals everywhere are racing to the morgue to pry his rifle from his "cold, dead fingers"

[MissStacey 1]

I'm trying hard to, but I just don't feel bad.

[William33 110]

Heston rocks!!! RIP...

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

RIP Charlton Heston

[Fuzzness 2]

so sad to hear this. great actor.

of course someone HAD to make a comment about liberals. I hope this doesn't become a hijacked thread.

[Yoink 7]

so sad to hear this. great actor.

of course someone HAD to make a comment about liberals. I hope this doesn't become a hijacked thread.

Hijacked from what? It is just a post about the story of the passing of the actor. Some people like him and others didnt. As a Jew my mom made me watch the Ten Commandments every passover. My Charleston Heston was Moses. Also, growing up in Dutchess County, NY.. a Republican stronghold and big hunting base, Heston was a demi-god for his NRA stances.

Other than that one movie and my 2nd amendment right which I strongly believe in.. (I am also a Democrat)... I could care less for Mr. Heston. Sorry for him and his family but if people want to quib then so be it.

Liberal or Not

If someone doesn't like that they can take pull the constitution from my cold dead hand. 1st amendment highlighted

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Heston's politics and his acting legacy are two different things. Even if you disagree with the man on his politics - I don't think it can be denied that he was a true screen icon, and starred in some of the most famous movies of the last century.

In a lot of ways they just don't make movies like that anymore - where you had someone with true presence playing Ben Hur, Moses or El Cid 40+ years ago - these days you have Colin Farrell and Orlando Bloom. Just not the same.

Alzheimer's is a pretty ignominious end to a career like that.

Edited April 6, 2008 by Number 6

[derekkj 0]

Loved his movies especially Ben Hur and Planet of the Apes. I will miss him. RIP Mr. Heston.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Heston's politics and his acting legacy are two different things. Even if you disagree with the man on his politics - I don't think it can be denied that he was a true screen icon, and starred in some of the most famous movies of the last century.

In a lot of ways they just don't make movies like that anymore - where you had someone with true presence playing Ben Hur, Moses or El Cid 40+ years ago - these days you have Colin Farrell and Orlando Bloom. Just not the same.

Alzheimer's is a pretty ignominious end to a career like that.

Yep. I'd venture to say a most 'liberals' can make that separation and while many of them may have disagreed with some of his politics, I never heard a liberal say that all celebrities should keep their mouths shut about politics. Can't say the same about some people on the right though.