Charlton Heston Has Died
Charlton Heston has died aged 83.
Born John Charles carter on October 24, 1924, to Lilla (nee Charlton) and Russell Carter.
His parents divorced when he was 10, and his mother married Chester Heston.
Charlton Heston worked as in actor in a career that spanned six decades from 1941 until 2003.
After leaving college in 1944, Heston joined the United States Army Air Forces, serving for two years.
He married Lydia Marie Clarke in 1944 and had two children, Fraser Clarke Heston and Holly Ann Heston.
Heston is best remembered for starring in movies such as Ben Hur, The Ten Commandments, Julius Caesar and The Planet Of The Apes.
He played a number of roles during his career, and once said: “I’ve played cardinals and cowboys, kings and quarterbacks, presidents and painters, cops and conmen…”
Right: Heston at a civil rights rally with Sidney Poitier and Harry Belafonte.
Charlton Heston was one of a handful of white actors who took an active stand for equal rights during the early 1960’s.
In later years (1998 – 2003) he became president of The National Rifleman’s Association.
Heston died Saturday April 5, 2008 with his wife, Lydia Heston, beside him.
Heston had battled Prostrate Cancer, which was in remission, and Alzheimer’s disease.