Stilly Posted April 6, 2008 Posted April 6, 2008 From Reuters: Oscar-winning actor Charlton Heston, whose chiseled features and commanding presence won him epic roles from Moses to Michelangelo, died on Saturday night at the age of 84, his family said. Heston, a former president of the influential National Rifle Association lobbying group, died at his home in Beverly Hills with his wife Lydia at his side, the family said in a statement. The actor, who won the 1959 best actor Oscar for the title role in "Ben Hur" in which he did many of his own chariot race stunts, had announced in 2002 that he was suffering symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. "To his loving friends, colleagues and fans, we appreciate your heartfelt prayers and support. Charlton Heston was seen by the world as larger than life," the family said. "No one could ask for a fuller life than his. No man could have given more to his family, to his profession, and to his country. In his own words, 'I have lived such a wonderful life! I've lived enough for two people'," the statement added. The family said a private memorial service would be held. In his heyday, Heston's rugged features and conservative lifestyle seemed to belong to another age. As director Anthony Mann said: "Put a toga on him and he looks perfect." Frank Sinatra once joked: "That guy Heston has to watch it. If he's not careful, he'll get actors a good name." Between super-spectacles ("The 10 Commandments,' "Ben Hur"), science fiction movies ("Planet of the Apes," 'Soylent Green') and disaster epics ('Earthquake"), Heston pushed for screen versions of Shakespearean plays, directing one, "Anthony and Cleopatra." Rest of the story here.
Signal08 Posted April 6, 2008 Posted April 6, 2008 its been a bad coupla years for hollywood, a lotta greats leaving us.
Iambaytor Posted April 6, 2008 Posted April 6, 2008 NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO O!
Iambaytor Posted April 6, 2008 Posted April 6, 2008 Seriously, this is horrible! All the great classic actors are dying, say what you want about his stance on gun control but Heston was one of the main actors to bill for more Shakespearean films and classic stage plays on the silver screen.
Lycaon Posted April 6, 2008 Posted April 6, 2008 say what you want about his stance on gun control but Heston was one of the main actors to bill for more Shakespearean films and classic stage plays on the silver screen. Indeed.
archangel Posted April 6, 2008 Posted April 6, 2008 a great actor and a great public figure. Thank you for sharing your gift and standing on principle and rights. You will be missed (thanks for putting it here and not in politics. it's more fitting here)
Reverend Jax Posted April 6, 2008 Posted April 6, 2008 Yeah, this is surely a shame, but I can also say from my experience with both my grandfathers, a life with advanced Alzheimer's is as close to no life at all as possible. I hope these last few years weren't too hard for him and his family.
Acalis Posted April 8, 2008 Posted April 8, 2008 How sad. And ironically I just watched The Ten Commandments a few days beforehand. A great actor who shall be missed.
Iambaytor Posted April 8, 2008 Posted April 8, 2008 I watched Planet of the Apes the night of his death.
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.