Charlton HestonCharlton Heston (born October 4, 1924), born John Charles Carter, is an American film actor noted for heroic roles. Later in his life, Heston became famous as a conservative activist, especially as president of the National Rifle Association (NRA). Youth and early acting careerHeston was born in Evanston, Illinois to Lila Charlton and Russell Whitford Carter. The family settled in rural Saint Helen, Michigan, where Heston, an only child, spent much of his time reading and practicing acting. Before he was 10 his parents divorced. Some years later, his mother married Chester Heston. The new family moved Winnetka, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, where young Heston attended high school. He enrolled in the school's drama program, where he performed with such outstanding results that he earned a scholarship to Northwestern University for drama in 1942. There he played in the 16mm amateur film adaptation of Peer Gynt made by a fellow student. Several years later the same team produced Julius Caesar, in which Heston played Marc Antony. In 1944, Heston left college and enlisted in the Air Force for three years. When he returned from service in World War II he moved to New York, where he met Lydia Marie Clarke, whom he married in 1944. The two lived in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood, where they worked as models. Seeking a way to make it in theater, they decided to manage a playhouse in Asheville, North Carolina. In 1947, they went back to New York where Heston was offered a role in the Broadway play Antony and Cleopatra, for which he earned acclaim. He also had success in television, playing a number of roles in CBS's Studio One, one of the most popular anthology dramas of the 1950s. Film careerHeston felt the time had come to move to Hollywood and break into film. In 1950, he earned recognition for his appearance in his first professional movie, Dark City. His breakthrough came in 1952 with his role of a circus director in The Greatest Show on Earth. But he became a megastar by portraying Moses in The Ten Commandments. He has played leading roles in a number of fictional and historical epics—such as Ben-Hur, El Cid, 55 Days in Peking, and Khartoum—during his long career. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his 1959 performance in the title role of Ben-Hur. Heston has played also in various science fiction films, some of which, like Planet of the Apes, have become classics. Heston continues acting, increasingly in TV movies. Heston fought at times for his artistic choices. In 1958, he maneuvered Universal International into allowing Orson Welles to direct him in Touch of Evil, and in 1965 he fought the studio in support of Sam Peckinpah, when an attempt was made to interfere with his direction of Major Dundee. Heston was also president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1966 to 1971. In 1971 he made his directorial debut with Antony and Cleopatra, an adaptation of the William Shakespeare play that he had performed during his earlier theater career. Starting with 1973's The Three Musketeers, Heston began playing an increasing number of supporting roles and cameos. Despite this, his immense popularity has never died, and he has seen a steady stream of film and television roles ever since. Heston has an instantly recognizable voice, and is often heard as a narrator. Off screenIn 2002, Heston publicly announced that he is suffering from Alzheimer's disease. He has also had to battle prostate cancer. In July 2003 he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George W. Bush. Political beliefsIn his earlier years, Heston was a civil rights activist, accompanying Martin Luther King Jr. during the civil rights march held in Washington, D.C. in 1963. In subsequent years, he embraced conservative causes, such as anti-affirmative action and anti-gun control, about which he makes at times provocative statements. As an honorary life member of the National Rifle Association (NRA) and its president and spokesman from 1998 until his resignation in 2003, Heston sought an unprecedented fourth term in 2001 as president, at which time he declared, while holding an American Revolutionary War era musket over his head: "I have only five words for you — From my cold, dead hands." Heston also serves on the National Advisory Board of Accuracy in Media, a conservative media watchdog group. In a speech to the Harvard Law School on February 16, 1999, Heston said the following:
BooksHeston has written several books, including autobiographies and religious books:
Filmography
This page about Charlton Heston includes information from a Wikipedia article. Additional articles about Charlton Heston News stories about Charlton Heston External links for Charlton Heston Videos for Charlton Heston Wikis about Charlton Heston Discussion Groups about Charlton Heston Blogs about Charlton Heston Images of Charlton Heston |
|
Heston has written several books, including autobiographies and religious books:. He has two childen, Owen, who will appear in the upcoming "The Squid and the Whale," and Greta. In a speech to the Harvard Law School on February 16, 1999, Heston said the following:. He is married to actress Phoebe Cates, who is 16 years his junior. As an honorary life member of the National Rifle Association (NRA) and its president and spokesman from 1998 until his resignation in 2003, Heston sought an unprecedented fourth term in 2001 as president, at which time he declared, while holding an American Revolutionary War era musket over his head: "I have only five words for you — From my cold, dead hands." Heston also serves on the National Advisory Board of Accuracy in Media, a conservative media watchdog group. Louis International Film Festival Lifetime Achievement Award. In subsequent years, he embraced conservative causes, such as anti-affirmative action and anti-gun control, about which he makes at times provocative statements. He has won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film, A Fish Called Wanda, a Gotham Actor Award, a Hasty Pudding Theatricals Man of the Year Award, and a St. in 1963. This film launched his career forward. during the civil rights march held in Washington, D.C. When a film version was made of The Pirates of Penzance, he was invited to reprise his role as the Pirate King, a role that had won him a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical. In his earlier years, Heston was a civil rights activist, accompanying Martin Luther King Jr. This in turn led him to Broadway where he won two Tony Awards. Bush. In 1972, he joined an acting group which took him across the country performing Shakespeare. In July 2003 he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George W. in Speech and Theatre from Indiana University in 1970 and later attended the prestigious Juilliard School in New York. He has also had to battle prostate cancer. Known for his exuberant acting style, Kline received a B.A. In 2002, Heston publicly announced that he is suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Louis, Missouri) is an American actor. Heston has an instantly recognizable voice, and is often heard as a narrator. Kevin Delaney Kline (born October 24, 1947 in St. Despite this, his immense popularity has never died, and he has seen a steady stream of film and television roles ever since. The Pirate King. Starting with 1973's The Three Musketeers, Heston began playing an increasing number of supporting roles and cameos. The Pirates of Penzance ... In 1971 he made his directorial debut with Antony and Cleopatra, an adaptation of the William Shakespeare play that he had performed during his earlier theater career. Harold. Heston was also president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1966 to 1971. The Big Chill ... In 1958, he maneuvered Universal International into allowing Orson Welles to direct him in Touch of Evil, and in 1965 he fought the studio in support of Sam Peckinpah, when an attempt was made to interfere with his direction of Major Dundee. Paden. Heston fought at times for his artistic choices. Silverado ... Heston continues acting, increasingly in TV movies. Henry Squires. Heston has played also in various science fiction films, some of which, like Planet of the Apes, have become classics. Violets Are Blue... ... He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his 1959 performance in the title role of Ben-Hur. Donald Woods. He has played leading roles in a number of fictional and historical epics—such as Ben-Hur, El Cid, 55 Days in Peking, and Khartoum—during his long career. Cry Freedom ... But he became a megastar by portraying Moses in The Ten Commandments. Otto West. His breakthrough came in 1952 with his role of a circus director in The Greatest Show on Earth. A Fish Called Wanda ... In 1950, he earned recognition for his appearance in his first professional movie, Dark City. Nick Starkey. Heston felt the time had come to move to Hollywood and break into film. January Man ... In 1947, they went back to New York where Heston was offered a role in the Broadway play Antony and Cleopatra, for which he earned acclaim. He also had success in television, playing a number of roles in CBS's Studio One, one of the most popular anthology dramas of the 1950s. Joey Boca. Seeking a way to make it in theater, they decided to manage a playhouse in Asheville, North Carolina. I Love You to Death ... The two lived in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood, where they worked as models. Hamlet. When he returned from service in World War II he moved to New York, where he met Lydia Marie Clarke, whom he married in 1944. Hamlet ... In 1944, Heston left college and enlisted in the Air Force for three years. Rod Randall. There he played in the 16mm amateur film adaptation of Peer Gynt made by a fellow student. Several years later the same team produced Julius Caesar, in which Heston played Marc Antony. Jeffery Anderson/Dr. He enrolled in the school's drama program, where he performed with such outstanding results that he earned a scholarship to Northwestern University for drama in 1942. Soapdish ... The new family moved Winnetka, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, where young Heston attended high school. Mack. Some years later, his mother married Chester Heston. Grand Canyon ... Before he was 10 his parents divorced. Richard Parker. The family settled in rural Saint Helen, Michigan, where Heston, an only child, spent much of his time reading and practicing acting. Consenting Adults ... Heston was born in Evanston, Illinois to Lila Charlton and Russell Whitford Carter. Douglas Fairbanks. Later in his life, Heston became famous as a conservative activist, especially as president of the National Rifle Association (NRA). Chaplin ... Charlton Heston (born October 4, 1924), born John Charles Carter, is an American film actor noted for heroic roles. Dave Kovic/President William Harrison 'Bill' Mitchell. Dark City (1950). Dave ... The Greatest Show on Earth (1952). Narrator. The Savage (1952). The Nutcracker ... Ruby Gentry (1952). Frixos. The President's Lady (1953). Princess Caraboo ... Pony Express (1953). Luc Teyssier. Arrowhead (1953). French Kiss ... Bad for Each Other (1953). The Hunchback of Notre Dame .... Captain Phoebus. The Naked Jungle (1954). Vince McCain/Rod McCain. The Secret of the Incas (1954). Fierce Creatures ... The Far Horizons (1955). Ben Hood. The Private War of Major Benson (1955). The Ice Storm ... Lucy Gallant (1955). Howard Brackett. The Ten Commandments (1956). In & Out ... Three Violent People (1957). Nick Bottom. Touch of Evil (1958). A Midsummer Night's Dream ... The Big Country (1958). Marshal Artemus 'Artie' Gordon. The Buccaneer (1958). U.S. The Wreck of the Mary Deare (1959). Wild Wild West ... Ben-Hur (1959). Tulio. El Cid (1961). The Road to El Dorado ... The Pigeon That Took Rome (1962). Various. Diamond Head (1963). Speak Truth to Power ... 55 Days at Peking (1963). Cal Gold. The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965). The Anniversary Party ... Major Dundee (1965). George Monroe. The Agony and the Ecstasy (1965). Life as a House ... The War Lord (1965). William Hundert. Khartoum (1966). The Emperor's Club ... Counterpoint (1968). Sagot. Planet of the Apes (1968). Picasso at the Lapin Agile ... Will Penny (1968). Number One (1969). Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970). The Hawaiians (1970). Julius Caesar (1970). The Omega Man (1971). The London Brige Special (1972). Skyjacked (1972). Call of the Wild (1972). Antony and Cleopatra (1973). Soylent Green (1973). The Three Musketeers (1973). Airport 1975 (1974). Earthquake (1974). The Four Musketeers (1974). The Last Hard Men (1976). Two Minute Warning (1976). Midway (1976). Crossed Swords (1978). Gray Lady Down (1978). The Mountain Men (1980). The Awakening (1980). Mother Lode (1982). A Man for All Seasons (1988). Call from Space (1989) (voice). Solar Crisis (1990). Symphony for the Spire (1992). Wayne's World 2 (1993). Tombstone (1993). True Lies (1994) (uncredited). In the Mouth of Madness (1995). Alaska (1996). Hamlet (1996). Gideon (1999). Any Given Sunday (1999). Planet of the Apes (2001). Town & Country (2001). The Order (2001). Papa Rua Alguem 5555 (2002). Charlton Heston's Hollywood: 50 Years in American Film (with Jean-Pierre Isbouts, ISBN 1577193571). Charlton Heston Presents the Bible (ISBN 1577192702). To Be a Man: Letters to My Grandson (ISBN 0743213114). Beijing Diary (ISBN 0671687069). In the Arena: An Autobiography (ISBN 157297267X). The Actor's Life (ISBN 0671830163). |