BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- The National Rifle Association says 80 million gun owners have lost a friend with the passing of Oscar-winning actor Charlton Heston, who died over the weekend at the age of 84.
Images: Charlton Heston | Video
Images: Recent Notable Deaths
Heston, who won the best actor Oscar in 1959 for "Ben-Hur" and may be best remembered for playing Moses in "The Ten Commandments," died Saturday at his home in Beverly Hills, with his wife of 64 years, Lydia, at his side, a family spokesman said.
A one-time Democrat who marched with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in Washington, D.C., in 1963, but later became a conservative, Heston, a lifelong National Rifle Association member, became NRA president in 1998 -- and a lightning rod for gun issues. His tenure at the NRA ended in 2003. The previous year, he announced he had symptoms consistent with Alzheimer's disease. In 2000, he stirred controversy when he held a musket over his head at an NRA convention and defied then-Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore to pry it "from my cold, dead hands."
Heston galvanized gun owners, and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush once credited him for helping his brother, George W. Bush, win the presidency.
"...My heart is heavy with the loss of Charlton Heston," NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre said in a statement.
"America has lost a great patriot. The Second Amendment has lost a faithful friend. So have I, and so have 4 million NRA members and 80 million gun owners."
Also praising Heston was the Screen Actors Guild. Heston was SAG's 16th president, serving from 1965 to 1971. He was an active member since receiving his SAG card in 1950.
SAG said in a statement that Heston was "an actor of astonishing talent, a capable and visionary union leader and, above all, a man of dignity and grace."
He often played fictional and historical heroes, including Moses in "The Ten Commandments" (1956), "El Cid" (1961), Michelangelo in "The Agony and the Ecstasy" (1965) and "Julius Caesar" (1950).
Other memorable roles include a marooned astronaut in "Planet of the Apes" (1968), a detective in "Soylent Green" (1973) and Robert Neville in "The Omega Man" (1971).
He also played a Mexican policeman in Orson Welles' "Touch of Evil" (1958).
Heston's TV credits include "Dynasty" and its spinoff, "The Colbys."
"I have lived such a wonderful life. I've lived enough for two people," Heston once said, according to a family statement.
"To his loving friends, colleagues and fans, we appreciate your heartfelt prayers and support," the statement said.
"Charlton Heston was seen by the world as larger than life ... known for his chiseled jaw, broad shoulders and resonating voice, and, of course, for the roles he played... We knew him as an adoring husband, a kind and devoted father, and a gentle grandfather, with an infectious sense of humor."
Heston was born John Charles Carter in Evanston, Ill., on Oct. 4, 1923. His parents divorced when he was 10 and his mother married Chester Heston.
In 1944, he left college and enlisted in the Army Air Force. That same year, while in the service, he married fellow Northwestern University student Lydia Marie Clark.
He made more than 100 movies and won an Academy Award for best actor for the title role in "Ben-Hur" (1959).
In July 2003, Heston received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, from President Bush at the White House.
"Laura and I are saddened by the death of our friend, Charlton Heston," Bush said in a statement on Sunday. "Charlton Heston was one of the most successful actors in movie history and a strong advocate for liberty.
"Widely acclaimed for his long, award-winning film career, he also had a profound impact off the screen. He served his country during World War II, marched in the civil rights movement, led a labor union and vigorously defended Americans' Second Amendment rights. He was a man of character and integrity, with a big heart."
Former first lady Nancy Reagan called Heston a hero.
"I will never forget Chuck as a hero on the big screen in the roles he played, but more importantly, I considered him a hero in life for the many times he stepped up to support Ronnie in whatever he was doing," she said. "We were honored to know Chuck as a friend."
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger also praised the actor, saying that he "entertained millions of people around the world during his legendary film career and his many larger-than-life roles will live on forever."
The governor added that "I had the privilege of working with him in my movie 'True Lies,' and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know him and his wonder family."
Heston is survived by his wife; two children, Fraser Clarke Heston and Holly Heston Rochell; and three grandchildren, Jack Alexander Heston, Ridley Rochell and Charlie Rochell.
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 at 22212 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 300, Woodland Hills, CA 91364.
Copyright 2008 by KNBC.com and KNBC (NBC4 Los Angeles). All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Read 1 comment »
Type in your comments to post to the forum
Name
(appears on your post) You are currently logged in as . Not ?
Name
(appears on your post)
Registration Welcome to Topix Forums! Please fill out the form below to set up an account and post your comment. If you are a returning user, click here to log in. Topix Username
Will display with your forum posts
Email Address
Will never be shown to other users
Password
At least five characters (letters and numbers)
Confirm Password
Birthdate
Required by COPPA
[Select a month] January February March April May June July August September October November December
Login Sign in with your existing Topix account and write your comments below. Don't have an account?
Email Address
Password
Forgot your password?
Comments
Type the numbers you see in the image on the right:
Please note by clicking on "Post Comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Service and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator. Send us your feedback.
Photo Gallery
GM Image
Which Are This Year's Top Family Cars?
See which cars made Kelley Blue Book's list of top family cars for 2008. More
PhotoVote: Winner Named For 'Me & My Pet'
Cindy Thompson
Check out our "Me & My Pet" winner, then check out the other great submissions. More
City Marina Kicks Out Topless Charter Service
Paranormal Investigators Probe Haunted Police Station
Name This Boy Band
Diapered Monkey Throws Wrench Into Morning Rush
Alligator Nabbed In Series Of N.J. Gang Raids
Woman: Video Shows Officer Pushing Her Down Stairs
Caught On Dashcam: Twister Tears Across Arkansas
Kids Critique New Style Skateboards
Dog Drives Family Van Over 5-Year-Old Girl
70-Year-Old Man Goes Back To 1st Grade
Links We Like
Find The Workplace That Fits You Best
There are certain core values and beliefs that you hold most dear. Make sure the company you want to work for is in line with those beliefs and you’ll be happier and more productive. More
Avoid Those Embarrassing E-Mail Moments
You don’t want to be the person that sends out that inflammatory e-mail. Find out what you can do to avoid e-mail mishaps that could cost you more than just a little embarrassment. More
See Your Credit Score For Free
A good credit score can save a lot of money the next time you want to make a big purchase. Find out where you stand with a free credit report. More
Check Out These Great Deals On Airfare
Now that the holidays are over, a vacation is really starting to look good. Check out these great travel deals and get away from winter boredom. More
Like online video? Then you'll love Now See This.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Links We Like includes a selection of information, tools and resources from our partners and sponsors. Sponsored Links
Forget Monthly Fees. Satellite TV for PC
No monthly fees. 3000 channels.
SatelliteTvToPc.com
4000+ Satellite TV Channels On Your PC
Satellite TV for PC Titanium Edition. One-time fee for lifetime TV.
tcst.net
Sharp® Liquid Crystal TV
Learn more about the performance, design & vision of Sharp AQUOS®.
www.AQUOS.com
charlton heston presents the bible
charlton heston presents the bible & More. 100,000 Stores. Deals. Reviews.
shopping.yahoo.com
China East Technology - DVD Replication
Provides 1-stop in-house CD, Mini CD, Card CD, DVD-5, DVD-9 replication and duplication, CD-R, DVD+/-R, mini DVD-R manufacturing, printing and packaging service for companies worldwide.
www.chinaeast.com.hk
Indoor Games
Celebrity News
Southern California Attractions
Los Angeles Lakers
Find More:
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment