Legendary actor Charlton Heston has passed away.
He died today at his home in Beverly Hills. He was 83.
Sigh… Another great, bigger than life true Hollywood star has left us, and he takes another little piece of my heart with him. Mr. Heston starred in over 100 movies and became an icon based on more than just one film. His most notable roles were Moses in The Ten Commandments, astronaut George Taylor in Planet of the Apes, Detective Thorn in Soylent Green and Charles Neville in The Omega Man (yes, the same Neville as the one in I Am Legend).
There was also Ben Hur, El Cid, and too many other movies to mention.
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Later in life he became more well known for his controversial defense of the National Rifle Association and opposition to gun laws. While I’m not a member of the NRA, I do agree with his views on gun control.
He had suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease since 2002 and although no details have been released it seems his death was related to that insidious illness. Here is the official statement released by his family earlier today:
“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. He was known for his chiseled jaw, broad shoulders and resonating voice, and, of course, for the roles he played. Indeed, he committed himself to every role with passion, and pursued every cause with unmatched enthusiasm and integrity.”
“We knew him as an adoring husband, a kind and devoted father, and a gentle grandfather, with an infectious sense of humor. He served these far greater roles with tremendous faith, courage and dignity. He loved deeply, and he was deeply loved.”
“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.’ A private memorial service will be held. The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Motion Picture and Television Fund:”
MPTF
22212 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 300
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
www.mptvfund.org
Website: http://www.mptvfund.org/
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Heston family. We’ve lost another great one, my friends.
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19 Comments
Indeed, Heston seemed larger than life. He will be missed.
In stark contrast to today’s politically correct environment, Heston wasn’t afraid to speak his mind, and he didn’t care what people thought of him. Here’s a snippet from an Associated Press article that really jumped out at me:
********************
At a Time Warner stockholders meeting, he castigated the company for releasing an Ice-T album that purportedly encouraged cop killing.
Heston wrote in “In the Arena” that he was proud of what he did “though now I’ll surely never be offered another film by Warners, nor get a good review in Time. On the other hand, I doubt I’ll get a traffic ticket very soon.”
Right there with ya Brian!
Heston was awesome!!!!!
Didn’t agree with his politics much but hey, you can’t go wrong with Soylent Green! He will be missed.
Didn’t always agree with him either but never stopped me admiring him, especially as an actor. I love El Cid, it is a truly epic film. Real shame he is gone. He will get great tributes (at least he better).
Isn’t this the guy who intentionally ran gun rallies in locations where school shootings took place…right after they took place?
No, that’s a lie perpetrated by Michael Moore and one of the reasons I can’t stand that guy. From the snopes.com forum regarding that supposed fact:
“The first is from the speech at the beginning, where he makes it look like Heston declares that the gun rally is coming to Colombine despite the massacre. What actually happened, is that they cancelled all of the rally that they could, but a small part of it had to take place for a legal reason (what it was escapes me now). If you look at the footage of the speech, there’s a bit where the image cuts away from Heston and the audio continues seemingly without pause. The image comes back onto Heston and he makes the “from my cold dead hands” part of the speech. A pretty inflamatory thing to say in response to being asked not to come to Colombine, no? But, if you look at the footage, you’ll notice that his tie changes during the cut. It’s part of a different speech that had nothing to do with Colombine. IIRC, it was a speech given before Colombine even happened. I think it was a speech where he’d just been given an award by the NRA.”
That was a disgusting thing for Moore to do.
And people still call his films “documentaries.”
Makes me want to spit.
Source: Snopes.com forum
Vic
The thing with Michael Moore is that he still unquestionably brings up valid questions and addresses real problems. I respect him for that, just like how I respect Heston for his films. Doesn’t mean I have to LIKE them though.
I think people these days can’t differentiate between liking someone’s talent and disliking them as a person
He was amazing actor and American icon. God bless the Heston family and friends.
I don’t want to get off track here but when someone is supposedly making a documentary and blatantly distorts events to fit their message to the point that it’s fabrication, that’s despicable.
Vic
I felt that Heston improved the NRA’s image. He was a born leader and that’s what the NRA needed at the time.
Anyone that has an ounce of Common Sense knows that Heston detested school shootings.
The NRA policies and their tactics arnt allways accepted by the public however school shootings allways bring out the folks that call for gun control and frankly that’s Un-American.
There’s evidence that supports the facts that the Colembine kids were all taking anti_depressants and new evidence supports that certain anti_depressants cause suicidal tendencies and cause some users to hear voices that instruct them to kill.
Years back a scumbag called patrick purdy shot up a schoolyard with a ak47 within a matter of weeks state legeslators moved into vote a gun ban that effectively banned all assault rifles. The NRA was late to react on this and the ban stuck. I’m not saying that we need ak47’s for home defense but without the NRA coming in a stopping more bans on handguns the lawmakers would have tried to eventually ban ALL guns in California. (This all because some manchurian went nuts). The NRA fights for the rights of gun owners and thats all Heston was doing.
Micheal Moore is a classic opportunist that uses horrible events to exploit on film. Sometimes he does a good job sometimes he’s TOOL and he dosent even know it….
Cholesterol will eventually send Micheal Moore to heaven. All in good time…..
He was one of the Great Ones.
A hundred years from now when people talk about movies , Heston’s name will still be mentioned.
Rest easy Charleton ; you did some amazing work.
Don’t agree with his politics, at all really. Not in the slightest. but I do respect someone who sticks to their gu… convictions. He’s not on a popular side of the issue, particularly today, but he never stood down. I have much respect to him for that.
Vic
I’m listenin to this song in his honor
http://youtube.com/watch?v=-xxju1pNhuA
Charlton Heston was one of the greatest! A very talented, dedicated actor and a fine person. I happened to agree with his politics … he had honesty, integrity and a passion standing up for his beliefs. Bravo for him!! We have lost one of our finest.
joyce
RIP, man.
Politics schmolitics,
He was one of the best .
He will be missed indeed.
my condolonces to his family and friends.
And thanks for the magnificent memories
MR. Heston.
The news reports keep coming in.
Charlton was truly a Ledgend.
Reminds me of when John Wayne died.
What a legend! He’ll be greatly missed… and a Hollywood marriage to be commended! With the Marriage Plague in full swing, its a blessing to see a wife by her husband’s side through the struggles they faced. He will be missed.
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