History Creator / CharltonHeston

Heston died in 2008 a few months short of what would have been his 85th birthday due to complications from Alzheimer's and pneumonia. He is survived by his wife, Lydia Clarke (who also dabbled in acting for a time and even appears in 1968's ''Will Penny'', which Heston often cited as his personal favorite of his films), son Fraser Clarke (who actually played the infant Moses in ''The Ten Commandments'' and dabbled in screenwriting and directing for a time), adopted daughter Holly and a brood of grandchildren.

* ''Film/BowlingForColumbine'' (2002), interviewed by Michael Moore

'''Charlton Heston''' (real name '''John Charles Carter'''; born October 4, 1923 – died April 5, 2008) was an American actor, once described by Creator/OrsonWelles as "Hollywood's Only Boyscout" due to his diligence as well as being a genuinely NiceGuy. He was best known for his leading roles in {{Epic Movie}}s of the late 50's / early 60's as well as some notable ScienceFiction movies such as ''Film/PlanetOfTheApes1968'' and ''Film/SoylentGreen''. BigDamnHero moments happen a lot in his films, and he was something of a MrFanservice as well. He is sometimes unfairly dismissed as a LargeHam due to his tendency to play larger than life heroes - though in some cases that's exactly why his fans love him.

Heston was also known for his political activism. In TheFifties and TheSixties he was one of a handful of Hollywood actors to speak openly against racism and was an active supporter of the Civil Rights Movement. Initially a moderate Democrat, he later supported conservative Republicans and was president of the [[UsefulNotes/AmericanGunPolitics National Rifle Association]] from 1998 to 2003. The (in)famous [[BadassBoast "You'll get my rifle when you pry it from my cold, dead hands!"]] has angered many gun control advocates while Creator/MichaelMoore's controversial ''Film/BowlingForColumbine'' seemed to hurt his image with some modern audiences. Sadly, he was also accused of being a homophobe later in life due to his apparent disagreement with the HoYay subtext of ''Film/Ben-Hur'' and evidence suggesting the painter Creator/MichelangeloBuonarroti, whom he portrayed in ''The Agony and the Ecstasy'', had been gay, even though Heston himself vehemently denied being a homophobe.

'''Charlton Heston''' (real name '''John Charles Carter'''; born October 4, 1923 – died April 5, 2008) was an American actor, once described by Creator/OrsonWelles as "Hollywood's Only Boyscout" due to his diligence as well as being a genuinely NiceGuy. He was best known for his leading roles in {{Epic Movie}}s of the late 50's / early 60's as well as some notable ScienceFiction movies such as ''Franchise/PlanetOfTheApes'' and ''Film/SoylentGreen''. BigDamnHero moments happen a lot in his films, and he was something of a MrFanservice as well. He is sometimes unfairly dismissed as a LargeHam due to his tendency to play larger than life heroes - though in some cases that's exactly why his fans love him.

** ''Planet of the Apes'' (1968) as George Taylor
** ''Beneath the Planet of the Apes'' (1970) as George Taylor
** RemakeCameo in Tim Burton's 2001 film as Zaius, Thade's father

Heston was also known for his political activism. In TheFifties and TheSixties he was one of a handful of Hollywood actors to speak openly against racism and was an active supporter of the Civil Rights Movement. Initially a moderate Democrat, he later supported conservative Republicans and was president of the [[UsefulNotes/AmericanGunPolitics National Rifle Association]] from 1998 to 2003. The (in)famous [[BadassBoast "You'll get my rifle when you pry it from my cold, dead hands!"]] has angered many gun control advocates while Creator/MichaelMoore's controversial ''Film/BowlingForColumbine'' seemed to hurt his image with some modern audiences. Sadly, he was also accused of being a homophobe later in life due to his apparent disagreement with the HoYay subtext of ''Ben-Hur'' and evidence suggesting the painter Michelangelo, whom he portrayed in ''The Agony and the Ecstasy'', had been gay, even though Heston himself vehemently denied being a homophobe.

'''Charlton Heston''' (real name '''John Charles Carter'''; born October 4, 1923 – died April 5, 2008) was an American actor, once described by Creator/OrsonWelles as "Hollywood's Only Boyscout" due to his diligence as well as being a genuinely NiceGuy. He was best known for his leading roles in [[GoldenAgeOfHollywood Hollywood]] [[EpicMovie Epics]] of the late 50's / early 60's as well as some notable ScienceFiction movies such as ''Franchise/PlanetOfTheApes'' and ''Film/SoylentGreen''. BigDamnHero moments happen a lot in his films, and he was something of a MrFanservice as well. He is sometimes unfairly dismissed as a LargeHam due to his tendency to play larger than life heroes - though in some cases that's exactly why his fans love him.

* ''Film/TheWarLord'' (1965) as Chrysagon de la Cruex

Heston was also known for his political activism. In TheFifties and TheSixties he was one of a handful of Hollywood actors to speak openly against racism and was an active supporter of the Civil Rights Movement. Initially a moderate Democrat, he later supported conservative Republicans and was president of the [[UsefulNotes/AmericanGunPolitics National Rifle Association]] from 1998 to 2003. The (in)famous [[BadassBoast "You'll get my rifle when you pry it from my cold, dead hands!"]] has angered many gun control advocates while Michael Moore's controversial ''Bowling For Columbine'' seemed to hurt his image with some modern audiences. Sadly, he was also accused of being a homophobe later in life due to his apparent disagreement with the HoYay subtext of ''Ben-Hur'' and evidence suggesting the painter Michelangelo, whom he portrayed in ''The Agony and the Ecstasy'', had been gay, even though Heston himself vehemently denied being a homophobe.

* ''AManForAllSeasons'' (the 1988 made-for-TV remake) as SirThomasMore

Heston died in 2008 a few months short of what would have been his 85th birthday due to complications from Alzheimer's and pneumonia.

* ''TheGreatestShowOnEarth'' (1952) as Brad Braden

'''Charlton Heston''' (real name '''John Charles Carter'''; born October 4, 1923 – died April 5, 2008) was an American actor, once described by Creator/OrsonWelles as "Hollywood's Only Boyscout" due to his diligence as well as being a genuinely nice guy. He was best known for his leading roles in [[GoldenAgeOfHollywood Hollywood]] [[EpicMovie Epics]] of the late 50's / early 60's as well as some notable ScienceFiction movies such as ''Franchise/PlanetOfTheApes'' and ''Film/SoylentGreen''. BigDamnHero moments happen a lot in his films, and he was something of a MrFanservice as well. He is sometimes unfairly dismissed as a LargeHam due to his tendency to play larger than life heroes - though in some cases that's exactly why his fans love him.

Heston was also known for his political activism. In TheFifties and TheSixties he was one of a handful of Hollywood actors to speak openly against racism and was an active supporter of the Civil Rights Movement. Initially a moderate Democrat, he later supported conservative Republicans and was president of the [[UsefulNotes/AmericanGunPolitics National Rifle Association]] from 1998 to 2003. The (in)famous [[BadassBoast "You'll get my rifle when you pry it from my cold, dead hands!"]] has angered many gun control advocates while Michael Moore's controversial ''Bowling For Columbine'' seemed to hurt his image with some modern audiences. Sadly, he was also accused of being a homophobe later in life due to his apparent disagreement with the HoYay subtext of ''Ben-Hur'' and evidence suggesting the painter Michelangelo, whom he portrayed in ''The Agony and the Ecstasy'', had been gay.

Heston was also known for his political activism. In TheFifties and TheSixties he was one of a handful of Hollywood actors to speak openly against racism and was an active supporter of the Civil Rights Movement. Initially a moderate Democrat, he later supported conservative Republicans and was president of the [[UsefulNotes/AmericanGunPolitics National Rifle Association]] from 1998 to 2003. The (in)famous [[BadassBoast "You'll get my rifle when you pry it from my cold, dead hands!"]] has angered many gun control advocates while Michael Moore's controversial ''Bowling For Columbine'' seemed to hurt his image with some modern audiences.

Heston was also known for his political activism. In TheFifties and TheSixties he was one of a handful of Hollywood actors to speak openly against racism and was an active supporter of the Civil Rights Movement. Initially a moderate Democrat, he later supported conservative Republicans and was president of the [[UsefulNotes/AmericanGunPolitics National Rifle Association]] from 1998 to 2003. The (in)famous [[BadassBoast "You'll get my rifle when you pry it from my cold, dead hands!"]] has angered many gun control advocates and seemed to hurt his image with some modern audiences.

* ''Film/BowlingForColumbine'' (2002), interviewed by Michael Moore

'''Charlton Heston''' (real name '''John Charles Carter'''; born October 4, 1923 – died April 5, 2008) was an American actor, once described by Creator/OrsonWelles as "Hollywood's Only Boyscout" due to his diligence as well as being a genuinely nice guy. He was best known for his leading roles in [[GoldenAgeOfHollywood Hollywood]] [[EpicMovie Epics]] of the late 50's / early 60's as well as some notable ScienceFiction movies such as ''Franchise/PlanetOfTheApes'' and ''Film/SoylentGreen''. BigDamnHero moments happen a lot in his films. He is sometimes unfairly dismissed as a LargeHam due to his tendency to play larger than life heroes - though in some cases that's exactly why his fans love him.

Heston was also known for his political activism. In TheFifties and TheSixties he was one of a handful of Hollywood actors to speak openly against racism and was an active supporter of the Civil Rights Movement. Initially a moderate Democrat, he later supported conservative Republicans and was president of the [[UsefulNotes/AmericanGunPolitics National Rifle Association]] from 1998 to 2003. The (in)famous [[BadassBoast "You'll get my rifle when you pry it from my cold, dead hands!"]] has angered many gun control advocates.

Heston was also known for his political activism. In TheFifties and TheSixties he was one of a handful of Hollywood actors to speak openly against racism and was an active supporter of the Civil Rights Movement. Initially a moderate Democrat, he later supported conservative Republicans and was president of the [[UsefulNotes/AmericanGunPolitics National Rifle Association]] from 1998 to 2003. The [[YourMileageMayVary (in)famous]] [[BadassBoast "You'll get my rifle when you pry it from my cold, dead hands!"]] has angered many gun control advocates.

* ''[[Film/{{Earthquake}} Earthquake]]'' (1974) as Stewart Graff

Heston was also known for his political activism. In TheFifties and TheSixties he was one of a handful of Hollywood actors to speak openly against racism and was an active supporter of the Civil Rights Movement. Initially a moderate Democrat, he later supported conservative Republicans and was president of the [[UsefulNotes/AmericanGunPolitics National Rifle Association]] from 1998 to 2003. The infamous [[BadassBoast "You'll get my rifle when you pry it from my cold, dead hands!"]] has angered many gun control advocates.

Heston was also known for his political activism. In TheFifties and TheSixties he was one of a handful of Hollywood actors to speak openly against racism and was an active supporter of the Civil Rights Movement. Initially a moderate Democrat, he later supported conservative Republicans and was president of the [[UsefulNotes/AmericanGunPolitics National Rifle Association]] from 1998 to 2003. The infamous [[BadassBoast "You'll get my rifle when you pry it from my cold, dead hands!"]] may have hurt his image with modern audiences, but many have also praised his support of the right to bear arms.

Heston was also known for his political activism. In TheFifties and TheSixties he was one of a handful of Hollywood actors to speak openly against racism and was an active supporter of the Civil Rights Movement. Initially a moderate Democrat, he later supported conservative Republicans and was president of the [[UsefulNotes/AmericanGunPolitics National Rifle Association]] from 1998 to 2003. The infamous [[BadassBoast "You'll get my rifle when you pry it from my cold, dead hands!"]] hurt his image with modern audiences.

'''Charlton Heston''' (real name '''John Charles Carter'''; born October 4, 1923 – died April 5, 2008) was an American actor, once described by Orson Welles as "Hollywood's Only Boyscout" due to his diligence as well as being a genuinely nice guy. He was best known for his leading roles in [[GoldenAgeOfHollywood Hollywood]] [[EpicMovie Epics]] of the late 50's / early 60's as well as some notable ScienceFiction movies such as ''Franchise/PlanetOfTheApes'' and ''Film/SoylentGreen''. BigDamnHero moments happen a lot in his films. He is sometimes unfairly dismissed as a LargeHam due to his tendency to play larger than life heroes - though in some cases that's exactly why his fans love him.

Heston was also known for his political activism. In TheFifties and TheSixties he was one of a handful of Hollywood actors to speak openly against racism and was an active supporter of the Civil Rights Movement. Initially a moderate Democrat, he later supported conservative Republicans and was president of the [[UsefulNotes/AmericanGunPolitics National Rifle Association]] from 1998 to 2003. The infamous ''[[BadassBoast "You'll get my rifle when you pry it from my cold, dead hands!"]]'' hurt his image with modern audiences.

'''Charlton Heston''' (real name '''John Charles Carter'''; born October 4, 1923 – died April 5, 2008) was an American actor, once described by Orson Welles as "Hollywood's Only Boyscout" due to his diligence as well as being a genuinely nice guy. He was best known for his leading roles in [[GoldenAgeOfHollywood Hollywood]] [[EpicMovie Epics]] of the late 50's / early 60's as well as some notable ScienceFiction movies such as ''Franchise/PlanetOfTheApes'' and ''Film/SoylentGreen''. BigDamnHero moments happen a lot in his films.

'''Charlton Heston''' (real name '''John Charles Carter'''; born October 4, 1923 – died April 5, 2008) was an American actor. He was best known for his leading roles in [[GoldenAgeOfHollywood Hollywood]] [[EpicMovie Epics]] of the late 50's / early 60's as well as some notable ScienceFiction movies such as ''Franchise/PlanetOfTheApes'' and ''Film/SoylentGreen''. BigDamnHero moments happen a lot in his films.

** [[TheCameo Cameo]] in Tim Burton's remake (2001) as Zaius, Thade's father