Charlton Heston

Charlton Heston

The Quintessential Epic Hero

Charlton Heston became one of Hollywood's most iconic actors, celebrated for his heroic roles.

His film debut came in 1950 with Dark City, but his breakthrough role was as Moses in Cecil B. DeMille's The Ten Commandments (1956). His performance in Ben-Hur (1959) won him an Academy Award for Best Actor. His rugged demeanor and commanding presence lent themselves well to epics and action films, leading to roles in movies like El Cid and Planet of the Apes.

Charlton Heston (1923 - 2008)

Biography and Career Overview

Charlton Heston was born as John Charles Carter on October 4, 1923, in Evanston, Illinois, to Lilla (née Charlton, authentically Baines) and Russell Whitford Carter, a mill operator. When he was 10, his parents divorced, and he moved with his mother to her native Michigan. There, his mother remarried Chester Heston. The family's name was changed to Heston, and young John Charles adopted "Charlton" as his first name, drawing from his mother's maiden name to create the persona that would later become synonymous with epic cinematic roles.

Education and Early Acting Career

Heston's interest in acting emerged during his high school years in Wilmette, Illinois, where he participated in drama. His talent and passion led him to Northwestern University, where he majored in Theatre Arts. It was at Northwestern that he met Lydia Marie Clarke, who would become his wife. During World War II, Heston served in the U.S. Army Air Forces as a radio operator and aerial gunner, stationed in the Alaskan Aleutian Islands.

Path to Stardom

After the war, Heston and his wife moved to New York City to pursue careers in acting. He worked in theater and television, eventually making his Broadway debut in "Antony and Cleopatra" (1947). His film debut came in 1950 with "Dark City," but his true breakout role was as Moses in the 1956 epic "The Ten Commandments." This role catapulted him into stardom, establishing him as a leading actor capable of embodying physically imposing, larger-than-life characters.

Hollywood Success

Charlton Heston's portrayal of Judah Ben-Hur in "Ben-Hur" (1959) earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor. This victory affirmed his status as a Hollywood legend, leading to a series of successful films, including "El Cid" (1961), "Planet of the Apes" (1968), and "Soylent Green" (1973). His commanding presence and deep voice made him a natural fit for roles that required a heroic or authoritative figure.

Personal Life and Passions

Married to Lydia Marie Clarke in 1944, Heston's marriage was a lifelong partnership, lasting until his death. They had two children, Fraser Clarke Heston and Holly Ann Heston. Aside from his acting career, Heston had a passion for civil rights, participating in the 1963 March on Washington. He was also an avid gun rights advocate, famously serving as the president of the National Rifle Association (NRA) from 1998 to 2003.

Later Years and Death

In the later stages of his life, Heston's health began to decline. In 2002, he publicly announced that he had symptoms consistent with Alzheimer's disease, which gradually took its toll on his well-being. Charlton Heston died on April 5, 2008, at his home in Beverly Hills, California. His death was attributed to complications from pneumonia. He was cremated, and his ashes were given to his family, leaving a legacy of unforgettable performances and a complex public persona.

Charlton Heston's last Interview:

Notable Movies starring Charlton Heston:

1950 - Dark City

Heston's film debut, a noir where he plays a gambler trying to evade revenge-seeking gangsters after a poker game goes wrong.
 

1952 - The Greatest Show on Earth

A drama set in the circus world, directed by Cecil B. DeMille. Heston plays the circus manager who juggles professional and personal challenges.
 

1953 - Arrowhead

Heston portrays a scout named Ed Bannon, who battles with the Apache nation in the Old West.
 

1955 - The Private War of Major Benson

A comedy where Heston plays a tough Major who ends up in charge of a boys' military academy, facing humorous challenges.
 

1956 - The Ten Commandments

Directed by Cecil B. DeMille, Heston stars as Moses, delivering the Hebrews from Egyptian slavery in this epic biblical tale.
 

1958 - Touch of Evil

A film noir directed by Orson Welles, featuring Heston as a Mexican narcotics officer who clashes with a corrupt American police captain.
 

1959 - Ben-Hur

A historical epic for which Heston won the Academy Award for Best Actor. He plays Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince betrayed and sent into slavery who seeks revenge.
 

1961 - El Cid

Heston stars as the legendary Spanish hero Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar ("El Cid"), who fights to drive the Moors out of Spain.
 

1965 - The Agony and the Ecstasy

Heston portrays Renaissance artist Michelangelo, struggling against his patron Pope Julius II to paint the Sistine Chapel.
 

1968 - Planet of the Apes

A sci-fi film where Heston plays an astronaut who crash-lands on a strange planet ruled by talking apes and must fight for survival.
 

1970 - Julius Caesar

Heston takes on the role of Mark Antony in this adaptation of William Shakespeare’s play, involving the conspiracy against the Roman dictator.
 

1971 - The Omega Man

In this post-apocalyptic science fiction film, Heston plays one of the last surviving humans battling nocturnal mutants after a biological war.
 

1973 - Soylent Green

A dystopian thriller where Heston plays a detective discovering horrifying secrets about a food supplement called Soylent Green in an overpopulated world.
 

1974 - Earthquake

An ensemble disaster film where Heston plays a rugged engineer facing personal and professional dilemmas during a massive earthquake.
 

1980 - The Awakening

Heston stars in this horror film about an archaeologist who discovers a dormant Egyptian queen that comes to life with deadly consequences.
 

2001 - Planet of the Apes (cameo)

In this remake directed by Tim Burton, Heston makes a cameo appearance as the dying father of the ape general Thade, delivering a critical plot point.

Analysis of Charlton Heston’s Acting Style:

Charlton Heston's acting style was marked by a distinctive combination of physical presence, vocal power, and a commanding persona, which made him a natural fit for larger-than-life roles in epic films and dramas. Known for his towering frame and resonant voice, Heston brought an inherent intensity and gravitas to his performances that often aligned him with characters of great authority, moral conviction, or historical significance.

Physicality and Screen Presence

Heston's robust physicality was a core element of his acting style. Standing over six feet tall, his imposing stature helped him dominate the screen, a trait that directors leveraged by casting him in roles that demanded a heroic or authoritative figure. This physical advantage was especially evident in his portrayals of characters like Moses in "The Ten Commandments" and Judah Ben-Hur in "Ben-Hur". His ability to command attention was not just due to his height but also his poised and deliberate movements, which conveyed both strength and a sense of purpose.

Vocal Strength

Another hallmark of Heston's acting was his powerful voice, which added depth to his cinematic characters. His clear, forceful delivery was perfect for the grandiose dialogue often found in epics and historical films. This vocal strength enabled him to convincingly portray leadership and inspire awe, whether he was delivering Moses' biblical pronouncements or rallying troops as a military leader. Heston's voice became one of his most defining features, capable of conveying a range of emotions from stern determination to passionate pleas.

Emotional Range and Character Depth

While Heston excelled in roles that emphasized stoic, unyielding men, his performances were not without emotional depth. He had a knack for imbuing his characters with a complex inner life, often portrayed through subtle expressions or shifts in tone rather than overt drama. This approach allowed audiences to perceive the vulnerabilities and moral dilemmas faced by his characters, making them more relatable despite their often extraordinary circumstances.

Iconic Roles and Legacy

Heston's choice of roles frequently aligned with narratives that involved grand themes of struggle, redemption, and leadership, often within a historical or larger-than-life context. This led to a typecasting of sorts, where his identity as an actor became closely tied to the iconic figures he portrayed. His roles in "The Ten Commandments" and "Ben-Hur" are particularly emblematic of his ability to blend physical vigor with a profound moral presence, embodying the very essence of the epic hero.

Memorable Quotes from his Movies:

Charlton Heston delivered many memorable lines throughout his illustrious film career, often in roles that showcased his strong, authoritative presence. Here are some of his most famous quotes from a selection of his films:

From The Ten Commandments (1956)

• Moses: "Let my people go."

This line, delivered with commanding force, is one of the most iconic moments in film history, as Heston's Moses confronts the Pharaoh to demand the release of the Hebrews from slavery.
 

From Ben-Hur (1959)

• Judah Ben-Hur: "I felt his voice take the sword out of my hand."

In this reflective moment, Heston's character speaks of the profound change within him after encountering Jesus, marking a pivotal transformation from vengeance to forgiveness.
 

From Planet of the Apes (1968)

• George Taylor: "Take your stinking paws off me, you damned dirty ape!"

This line, full of shock and defiance, is a pivotal moment in the film, revealing Taylor's horror and disgust as he confronts the reality of a world dominated by apes.
 

From Soylent Green (1973)

• Detective Thorn: "Soylent Green is people!"

This climactic revelation at the end of the film is delivered with horror and despair by Heston's character, exposing the grim truth behind the food product that sustains a starving, overcrowded world.
 

From El Cid (1961)

• El Cid: "A man cannot live by two names."

Personal Quotes:

On personal freedom:

"I have lived such a wonderful life! I've lived enough for two people."
 

On acting:

"Acting is not a mystery. There's nothing that I know that you can't know. If you can pretend you're brave, you can do it."
 

On his career choices:

"I've played three presidents, three saints and two geniuses - and that's probably enough for any man."
 

On political change:

"Political correctness is tyranny with manners."
 

On his iconic film roles:

"Everything I am I owe to spaghetti."
 

On responsibility and rights:

"You can take my rifle... when you pry it from my cold dead hands."
 

On life and achievement:

"The trouble with movies as a business is that it's an art, and the trouble with movies as art is that it's a business."
 

On legacy:

"I don't seem to fit really into the 20th Century. Very often, the life I lead in the 20th Century does not fulfill me as a person or as an actor. The films I have made, the commercial films, I'm not deeply proud of them."

What Others Said about Charlton Heston:

Orson Welles (director and actor):

Welles, who directed Heston in Touch of Evil, famously remarked, "Charlton Heston is the only actor who can play a cardinal and a cowboy, and you can believe him in both roles."
 

Ronald Reagan (former U.S. President):

Upon awarding Heston the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2003, Reagan described him as "a man of the Renaissance" who "reminds us of the impact one person can have on the world."
 

Tom Gries (director), who worked with Heston on Will Penny, said:

"He has integrity and, more importantly, he behaves as if he does. In this town [Hollywood], that's rare."
 

Richard Corliss (film critic, Time magazine):

Corliss highlighted Heston's ability to elevate even mediocre films, saying, "Heston's presence lent heft and certainty to even the cheesiest science fiction."
 

Ridley Scott (director), reflecting on Heston's iconic role in Ben-Hur, noted:

"Charlton Heston was the epitome of what a movie star should be — a great-looking, charismatic, masculine presence."
 

Fraser C. Heston (his son), speaking about his father:

"He wasn't afraid to take risks, which made him a natural leader. He led by example, not by making speeches."
 

Elaine Stritch (actress), who worked with him in Three Violent People, commented on his professionalism:

"He's no-nonsense, and he came in with such incredible focus. Working with him made me up my game."

Awards and Recognition:

Academy Awards

1959: Won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Ben-Hur.
 

Golden Globe Awards

1962: Nominated for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama for El Cid.

1973: Received the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement in motion pictures.
 

BAFTA Awards

1959: Nominated for Best Foreign Actor for Ben-Hur.
 

Primetime Emmy Awards

1997: Nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special for Alaska.
 

Other Honors and Recognitions

• Hollywood Walk of Fame: Charlton Heston has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to the film industry, awarded in 1960.
• Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award: In 1978, Heston was honored with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, an Oscar statuette given by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for his humanitarian efforts.
• Kennedy Center Honors: In 1997, he was a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors, recognized for his lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts.
• Presidential Medal of Freedom: In 2003, Heston was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award of the U.S., which recognized his cultural and civic contributions.
   

Film Festival Awards

• Berlin International Film Festival: In 1961, Heston received the Silver Bear for Best Actor for his role in The Counterfeit Traitor.
• San Sebastián International Film Festival: He was awarded the Best Actor for 55 Days at Peking in 1963.
   

Screen Actors Guild

• Lifetime Achievement Award: In 1971, Heston was honored with the Screen Actors Guild Lifetime Achievement Award for his career achievements and humanitarian efforts.

Comprehensive List of Movies with Charlton Heston:

• Peer Gynt (1941)
• Dark City (1950)
• The Greatest Show on Earth (1952)
• Ruby Gentry (1952)
• The Savage (1952)
• Arrowhead (1953)
• Bad for Each Other (1953)
• The Naked Jungle (1954)
• Secret of the Incas (1954)
• The Far Horizons (1955)
• Lucy Gallant (1955)
• The Private War of Major Benson (1955)
• The Ten Commandments (1956)
• Three Violent People (1956)
• Touch of Evil (1958)
• The Buccaneer (1958)
• The Big Country (1958)
• Ben-Hur (1959)
• The Wreck of the Mary Deare (1959)
• El Cid (1961)
• The Pigeon That Took Rome (1962)
• 55 Days at Peking (1963)
• The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965)
• Major Dundee (1965)
• The Agony and the Ecstasy (1965)
• The War Lord (1965)
• Khartoum (1966)
• Counterpoint (1967)
• Planet of the Apes (1968)
• Will Penny (1968)
• Number One (1969)
• Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970) - (uncredited)
• Julius Caesar (1970)
• The Omega Man (1971)
• Skyjacked (1972)
• The Call of the Wild (1972)
• Antony and Cleopatra (1972)
• Soylent Green (1973)
• The Three Musketeers (1973)
• Earthquake (1974)
• Airport 1975 (1974)
• The Four Musketeers (1974)
• Midway (1976)
• Two-Minute Warning (1976)
• Crossed Swords (1977)
• Gray Lady Down (1978)
• The Mountain Men (1980)
• The Awakening (1980)
• Mother Lode (1982)
• The Fantasy Film Worlds of George Pal (1985) - (documentary)
• Nairobi Affair (1984)
• Proud Men (1987)
• A Man for All Seasons (1988)
• Call from Space (1989) - (short)
• Almost an Angel (1990)
• Solar Crisis (1990)
• The Crucifer of Blood (1991)
• Genghis Khan (1992)
• Wayne's World 2 (1993) - (cameo)
• Tombstone (1993)
• True Lies (1994) - (uncredited)
• In the Mouth of Madness (1995)
• Hamlet (1996)
• Alaska (1996)
• The Dark Mist (1996)
• Hercules (1997) - (voice)
• Armageddon (1998) - (narrator)
• Town & Country (2001)
• Planet of the Apes (2001) - (cameo)
• The Order (2001)
• Cats & Dogs (2001) - (voice)
• My Father, Rua Alguem 5555 (2003)
• Ben Hur (2003) - (video)