Charlton Heston Biography

Born asJohn Charles Carter
Occup.Actor
FromUSA
BornOctober 4, 1923
Evanston, Illinois, USA
DiedApril 5, 2008
Beverly Hills, California, USA
CausePneumonia
Aged84 years
Early Life and Education
Charlton Heston, born as John Charles Carter on October 4, 1923, in Wilmette, Illinois, was one of the most iconic and long-lasting figures in American cinematic history. Heston's family transferred to a rural part of Michigan when he was quite young, where he developed a love for the natural world. He later participated in New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois, showcasing early pledge in drama. Pursuing his enthusiasm for acting, he went on to study at Northwestern University on a drama scholarship.

Armed force Service
Heston's life took a substantial turn when he enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. Acting as a radio operator and aerial gunner, he added to the war effort before returning home to resume his burgeoning acting career.

Acting Career
Charlton Heston's break into the movie industry was marked by his powerful screen existence and commanding voice. He shot to fame with his role as Moses in the impressive film "The Ten Commandments" (1956), directed by Cecil B. DeMille. Heston's representation of iconic characters continued with his Academy Award-winning performance as Judah Ben-Hur in "Ben-Hur" (1959). This role, in specific, solidified his status as a leading male in Hollywood impressives.

Over the years, Heston appeared in a range of genres, from science fiction in "Planet of the Apes" (1968) to historic dramas like "El Cid" (1961) and thrillers such as "The Omega Man" (1971). He had a propensity for embodying epic characters, often portraying leaders and heroes with a strong moral compass.

Personal Life
In 1944, Heston married fellow Northwestern University student Lydia Marie Clarke. The couple had two kids, Fraser Clarke Heston, who followed in his daddy's footsteps as a filmmaker, and Holly Ann Heston. His marriage to Lydia was long and sustaining, lasting for over six decades until his death.

Advocacy and Political Involvement
Beyond his movie profession, Heston was an active individual in political and social causes. An ardent civil liberties advocate, he took part in the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. He was a singing advocate of the First Amendment and ended up being the president of the National Rifle Association (NRA) in the late 1990s, serving till 2003. His "from my cold, dead hands" speech at the 2000 NRA convention remains one of his most remarkable statements.

Later On Years and Legacy
In 2002, Charlton Heston publicly revealed that he was detected with signs constant with Alzheimer's illness. He retired from public life but remained a figure of cinematic and cultural significance until his handing down April 5, 2008, at his home in Beverly Hills, California.

Heston's tradition as a Hollywood titan is marked by his contributions to a few of the film market's most memorable and enduring movies. His portrayal of leaders and heroes in impressive stories resonated with audiences worldwide, and his advocacy work left an enduring effect on American culture.

Our collection contains 16 quotes who is written / told by Charlton.

Related authors: Lawrence Taylor (Athlete), Cecil B. DeMille (Producer)

Filmography:
Source / external links:

16 Famous quotes by Charlton Heston

Small: Undeniably the American art form, too. And yet more and more, we see films made that diminish the Ameri
"Undeniably the American art form, too. And yet more and more, we see films made that diminish the American experience and example. And sometimes trash it completely"
Small: To the world, you are America
"To the world, you are America"
Small: The big studio era is from the coming of sound until 1950, until I came in... I came in at a crux in fi
"The big studio era is from the coming of sound until 1950, until I came in... I came in at a crux in film, which was the end of the studio era and the rise of filmmaking"
Small: Shakespeare is the outstanding example of how that can be done. In all of Shakespeares plays, no matter
"Shakespeare is the outstanding example of how that can be done. In all of Shakespeare's plays, no matter what tragic events occur, no matter what rises and falls, we return to stability in the end"
Small: Dirty Harry, for example. Clint Eastwood was not a rogue cop. He was a maverick cop, but he was a good
"Dirty Harry, for example. Clint Eastwood was not a rogue cop. He was a maverick cop, but he was a good guy"
Small: As an artist, I understand that, and I value the creative input of the artist
"As an artist, I understand that, and I value the creative input of the artist"
Small: Well, we have certainly produced great art before we did this. In my view, there are any number of area
"Well, we have certainly produced great art before we did this. In my view, there are any number of areas of government which tax money should not be spent"
Small: Its been quite a ride. I loved every minute of it
"It's been quite a ride. I loved every minute of it"
Small: You could think of extraordinary examples to the contrary: The Grapes of Wrath... and even into the 70s
"You could think of extraordinary examples to the contrary: The Grapes of Wrath... and even into the 70s"
Small: Society mends its wounds. And thats invariably true in all the tragedies, in the comedies as well. And
"Society mends its wounds. And that's invariably true in all the tragedies, in the comedies as well. And certainly in the histories"
Small: Ive played three presidents, three saints and two geniuses - and thats probably enough for any man
"I've played three presidents, three saints and two geniuses - and that's probably enough for any man"
Small: You can spend a lifetime, and, if youre honest with yourself, never once was your work perfect
"You can spend a lifetime, and, if you're honest with yourself, never once was your work perfect"
Small: You cut their money back, for one thing... I go back a long way with the NEA
"You cut their money back, for one thing... I go back a long way with the NEA"
Small: The trouble with movies as a business is that its an art, and the trouble with movies as art is that it
"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"
Small: In recent years, anyone in the government, certainly anyone in the FBI or the CIA, or recently, in agai
"In recent years, anyone in the government, certainly anyone in the FBI or the CIA, or recently, in again, Clint's film, In the Line of Fire, the main bad guy is the chief advisor to the president"
Small: And their pals vote for their stuff when theyre not on the panel, and it just keeps going that way.
"And their pals vote for their stuff when they're not on the panel, and it just keeps going that way. And they tend to be very fringe artists, so anything before the 20th century is not worth considering. This is out of date"