Charlton Heston

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.

"Charlton Heston was seen by the world as larger than life. He was known for his chiseled jaw, broad shoulders and resonating voice, and, of course, for the roles he played," Heston's family said in a statement. "No one could ask for a fuller life than his. No man could have given more to his family, to his profession, and to his country."


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.

Publicist Michael Levine, who represented Heston for about 20 years, said the actor's passing represented the end of an iconic era for cinema.

"If Hollywood had a Mt. Rushmore, Heston's face would be on it," Levine said. "He was a heroic figure that I don't think exists to the same degree in Hollywood today."

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."

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Elections
• 2008

[UnitedOffensiveIII]

I cannot wait to read the vicious and cruel comments that will be spewed by europeans on this site. Have at it. Another American to demean while his corpse is barely cold. A great man, an american legend, an academy award winner and a true patriot til the end. " from my cold dead hands"....

[UnitedOffensiveIII]

My deepest sympathy to his Family and all that knew this fearless fighter of integrity,in all he touched, and the roles he took on.

He stood up for his beliefs and gave his all. How many of us can say the same of ourselves. He ilk will be sorely missed.

[UnitedOffensiveIII]

A great loss to the cinema - a man leaves behind a legacy of many roles in classic films which will stand the test of time.

[UnitedOffensiveIII]

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."

[SeekerNLife]

Charlton Heston was a great man.

May he RIP.

[mimiangie]

my favorite actor the all the times!!!!!!!!!!

:):) forever i n my sweet heart

[rockhammer85]

Well done with the great tribute! If I have a favorite actor, it's probably Charlton Heston. I think he was also a remarkable man - though currently very misunderstood one, sadly.

[rhinnawi95]

@joeycusack80 I respect you for that comment (and these views), though he mainly supported Bush because otherwise, AL Gore would've won, and he was TERRIBLE. We are better off with Bush having been president than we would've been with Gore.

[rhinnawi95]

1:11 Bob Hope, Ronald Reagan, Charlton Heston!!! Three of the greatest men to walk the Earth. God bless them all, and may they rest in peace.

[joeycusack80]

@UnitedOffensiveIII .Well I am European and I am a huge admirer of Charlton Heston. I did not approve of his support for Bush, as I dislike both the Democrats and Republicans. I loved how he spoke out against political correctness and how he was for the rights of the individual. Charlton Heston could see that a man without a means to defend himself is easy prey for a tryannical government.Fuck all those Lefty-Marxist pricks takecheap shots at him.

[92af]

Charlton Heston was a great actor

[bluspyder24]

Now I know where the Indiana Jones costume came from...

[warrior350es]

Eurpeans and white liberal Americans will both have their go at it, shows you the sad times we're living in.