Charlton Heston
Charlton Heston (October 4, 1923 – April 5, 2008) was an American actor. He had many big roles, such as playing Moses in the movie The Ten Commandments, astronaut Colonel George Taylor in the movie Planet of the Apes, the dystopian 1971 The Omega Man and 1973 Soylent Green. Heston played Judah Ben-Hur in the Academy Award-winning Ben-Hur.
Charlton Heston | |
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![]() Charlton Heston (1953) | |
President of the Screen Actors Guild | |
In office 1965–1971 | |
Preceded by | Dana Andrews |
Succeeded by | John Gavin |
Personal details | |
Born | John Charles Carter October 4, 1923 Wilmette, Illinois, U.S. |
Died | April 5, 2008 Beverly Hills, California, U.S. | (aged 84)
Cause of death | Pneumonia |
Resting place | Saint Matthew's Episcopal Church Columbarium Pacific Palisades, California, U.S. |
Nationality | American |
Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
Spouse(s) | Lydia Clarke (1944-2008; his death) |
Children | Fraser Clarke Heston (b. 1955) Holly Ann Heston (b. 1961) |
Education | New Trier High School |
Alma mater | Northwestern University |
Occupation | Actor, film director, activist |
Net worth | $40 million |
Early lifeEdit
He was born in Wilmette, Illinois on October 4, 1923. He was raised in St. Helen, Michigan. Heston studied at New Trier High School and at Northwestern University.
Political viewsEdit
Heston was also known for his politics. When he was young he held liberal views and marched with people such as Martin Luther King, Jr. for civil rights in the 1960s.
It was rare for a Hollywood actor to be for such causes at that time. Later in his life, he was for conservative causes such as gun rights. He was president of the National Rifle Association, a group that is for the rights of gun owners, from 1998 to 2003.
In July 2003, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House from President George W. Bush.
DeathEdit
Late in his life, Heston had Alzheimer's disease. He died of pneumonia, aged 84, in Beverly Hills, California.[1][2]
ReferencesEdit
- ↑ Welkos, Robert W. and Susan King. Charlton Heston, 84; actor played epic figures. Los Angeles Times. April 5, 2008. Retrieved April 12, 2010.
- ↑ Charlton Heston Dies at Beverly Hills Home. FoxNews.com. April 5, 2008. Retrieved April 12, 2010.
Other websitesEdit
Media related to Charlton Heston at Wikimedia Commons
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