Ben-Hur star Charlton Heston dies

[ziggysego]

Charlton Heston, who won a best actor Oscar for his starring role in the epic Ben-Hur, has died aged 84, a spokesman for his family has said.

Heston died on Saturday at his home in Beverly Hills. His wife Lydia, whom he married in 1944, was at his side.

Heston also portrayed Michelangelo, El Cid and other heroic figures in movie epics of the 1950s and 1960s.

He stepped down as president of US gun lobby, the National Rifle Association, in 2003, citing ill-health.

The previous year, he had revealed he had symptoms consistent with Alzheimer's disease.

Defining roles

Heston was born John Charles Carter in Evanston, Illinois.

He studied acting before serving for three years in the US Air Force. But back in civilian life, Heston went through hard times, while waiting for his first break.

In 1952, after working on Broadway, Heston starred as the ringmaster in the movie The Greatest Show on Earth.

Four years later, he appeared as Moses in The Ten Commandments, one of the roles which would define his career.

After the success of the science fiction film Planet of the Apes in the late 1960s, Heston turned his attention to working in the theatre.

'Larger than life'

Although later identified with traditionally conservative causes, Charlton Heston had been a vocal supporter of Martin Luther King and the 1960s Civil Rights movement.

He also served as president of the Screen Actors Guild and was chairman of the American Film Institute.

In a statement, his family said: "To his loving friends, colleagues and fans, we appreciate your heartfelt prayers and support.

"Charlton Heston was seen by the world as larger than life.

"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.

"In his own words, 'I have lived such a wonderful life. I've lived enough for two people'."

His former publicist Michael Levine, who worked with Heston for 20 years, told Associated Press the actor's passing represented the end of an iconic era for cinema.

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

Heston's family said a private memorial service would be held.

Sourced BBCi: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7332960.stm

Guess we can pry that gun away now.

[Orior]

Not keen on his stance on guns, but a great actor and I remember him best for (1) Planet of the Apes and (2) Waynes World

[J70]

One of the all-time greats. Married to the same woman since 1944 as well - not too common in Hollywood!

[stew]

One of the all-time greats. Married to the same woman since 1944 as well - not too common in Hollywood!

Your too right there, especially for the vast majority of actors born after 1944.

[mc_grens]

Great actor, I especially enjoyed his appearance in "Bowling for Columbine".

[Minder]

Its a pity it wasnt that **** michael moore going into a wooden box

[Hurler on the Bitch]

I object to your use of the term CnuT whilst referring to Michael Moore. Michael Moore is a w**ker! A CnuT - no matter how offensive - has some redeeming features. Regarding Charlton Heston, at least we may now get a re-run of some of his films on TV .. Which makes me think, hope Clint Eastwood pops his clogs soon as I haven't seen Dirty Harry on TV lately - There is apparently an Oolster Scoots version of Dirty Harry in the making called 'Horrie, Ye f**king Minger Ye"  - with the classic line "I was thinkin ther Boy that yo'd be sayin tae yerself, mannie of those owl ballots has yon focker fired? Was it a hannfoll or a hae dozen? Houl yer whist and ask yersel this thingy, dea ya think yer a fookin man wear twa dicks or wha?"

[Over the Bar]

My commisserations to the KKK...sorry the NRA.

[Hurler on the Bitch]

My commisserations to the KKK...sorry the NRA.

Sure what's the KKK - only a disslexxic version of the NRA?

[J70]

My commisserations to the KKK...sorry the NRA.

The NRA may be off the deep end with some of their views, but I've never heard them accused of racism.

[AZOffaly]

And for all Heston's notorious views on guns, he was one of the most public white actors in favour of racial equality back when it wasn't fashionable. I would completely disagree with his interpretation of an archaic few words in the second amendment of the constitution of the United States, but at least give the man credit for what he did right.

Plus he was a good actor, Ben Hur and Planet of the Apes are my two favourites.

[thejuice]

Great actor, I've seen most of his more popular movies, but I hear he was great in Julius Cesar, which I haven't seen or Soylent Green which is a science fiction movie about a dystopian future in which overpopulation, global warming and the resulting severe damage to the ecology have led to widespread unemployment and poverty.
Prophetic!

His cameo in Wayne's world 2 was great.

[Maximus Marillius]

I object to your use of the term CnuT whilst referring to Michael Moore. Michael Moore is a w**ker! A CnuT - no matter how offensive - has some redeeming features. Regarding Charlton Heston, at least we may now get a re-run of some of his films on TV .. Which makes me think, hope Clint Eastwood pops his clogs soon as I haven't seen Dirty Harry on TV lately - There is apparently an Oolster Scoots version of Dirty Harry in the making called 'Horrie, Ye f**king Minger Ye"  - with the classic line "I was thinkin ther Boy that yo'd be sayin tae yerself, mannie of those owl ballots has yon focker fired? Was it a hannfoll or a hae dozen? Houl yer whist and ask yersel this thingy, dea ya think yer a fookin man wear twa dicks or wha?"