Charlton Heston
One of Hollywood’s most legendary actors, Charlton Heston died this month at the age of 84. He was born John Charles Carter on October 4, 1923 in Illinois. His mother and father divorced when he was 10 years old and his mother remarried Chester Heston, whose surname he took as his own.
At a young age, Heston was involved in community theater, which ultimately led to a scholarship to Northwestern University for drama. In 1944 he enlisted in the US Army and served for two years. It was at this time that he married Lydia Clarke. Both Charlton and Lydia both wanted to work as actors, and began modeling for artists in New York after his military service was complete.
They both moved to Asheville, North Carolina in 1947 to manage a playhouse and returned to New York the following year. In 1948, Charlton was offered a Broadway role in Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra. In 1950, Heston starred in his first film –Dark City. He received critical acclaim for his role and it was only the beginning of what would come.
There are three major roles for which Heston is most famous. The first was Ben Hur in 1959. After Burt Lancaster, Marlon Brando, and Rock Hudson turned down the role, Heston was offered the part and went on to win an Academy Award. It’s hard to imagine anyone else in that role. The second role is that of Moses in The Ten Commandments, which still remains a popular depiction of the Biblical figure.
The third of his most well known parts was in the film The Planet of the Apes released in 1968. It was commercially successful and remains a popular film to this day. And while these roles were his most popular, he starred in many more films and worked until his death.
But for fans of Old Time Radio Paramount Picture Naked Jungle released in March 1954 has to be Charlton Heston'sgreatest role when Lux Radio Theater produced their version for radio broadcast on 7th June 1954. The story Naked Junglewill be better known to you as Leiningen Versus The Ants and in both the film and radio production Charlton Heston played the starring role of the courageous adventurer Christopher Leiningen.
Heston is also known for his political activism. As early as the 1950s he spoke out about issues that were important to him. Early on his political allegiance learned toward the Democratic Party, but later he became a Republican supporter and spoke out about gun rights and his opposition to abortion.
In 2002, Heston announced that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, but he continued to work and was very active. He passed away in his home with his wife Lydia by his side. The couple was married for 68 years.
Known as one of Hollywood’s most talented and accomplished leading men, Heston will be missed. Fortunately he will live on through his work that can be seen on film.
Happy listening my friends,
