Heston, Charlton

orig. John Charlton Carter

born Oct. 4, 1924, Evanston, Ill., U.S.

U.S. actor.

He made his Broadway debut in Antony and Cleopatra (1947) and his film debut in Dark City (1950). He became a star in The Greatest Show on Earth (1952) and was a muscular and dignified stalwart in epic films such as The Ten Commandments (1956), Ben-Hur (1959, Academy Award), and The Agony and the Ecstasy (1965). He also starred in Touch of Evil (1958), Planet of the Apes (1968), and The Three Musketeers (1973) and directed and acted in Antony and Cleopatra (1972) and Mother Lode (1982). He was president of the Screen Actors Guild (1966–71) and the National Rifle Association (1998–2003).

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▪ 2009

John Charlton Carter 

      American actor

born Oct. 4, 1924, Evanston, Ill.

died April 5, 2008, Beverly Hills, Calif.

possessed a commanding screen presence with his broad shoulders, chiseled features, and compelling speaking voice and became best known for his role as Moses in Cecil B. DeMille's The Ten Commandments (1956). Heston made his Broadway debut in Antony and Cleopatra (1947). His first Hollywood film was Dark City (1950), and he followed that with The Greatest Show on Earth (1952), in which he appeared as the circus manager, and The President's Lady (1953) portraying Pres. Andrew Jackson. Among Heston's numerous subsequent films were Touch of Evil (1958) and Ben-Hur (1959), which won 11 Academy Awards, including a best actor award for Heston; the film secured his position as the premiere historical character actor in Hollywood. The films that followed placed him in several larger-than-life roles: the eponymous Spanish warrior in El Cid (1961), Michelangelo in The Agony and the Ecstasy (1965), and John the Baptist in The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965). In 1968 Heston starred in the western Will Penny and in Planet of the Apes, the first in a string of science-fiction films that included the cult favourites The Omega Man (1971) and Soylent Green (1973). Heston continued to be identified, however, for his work in period dramas. He twice played Mark Antony, in Julius Caesar (1970) and in Antony and Cleopatra (1973), which he also directed. Heston also served as president (1966–71) of the Screen Actors Guild, chairman (1973–83) of the American Film Institute, and president (1998–2003) of the National Rifle Association.

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▪ American actor

original name  John Charlton Carter 

born Oct. 4, 1924, Evanston, Ill., U.S.

died April 5, 2008, Beverly Hills, Calif.

      American actor, known for his chiseled features and compelling speaking voice and for his numerous roles as historical figures and famous literary characters.

      Heston decided to become an actor after impulsively auditioning for a high-school play. His stage experience in high school resulted in a scholarship to Northwestern University. In 1946 he moved to New York City, and he made his Broadway debut in Antony and Cleopatra (1947). Soon thereafter he landed roles in live television productions. His first Hollywood film was Dark City (1950). Although he was still relatively unknown, his performance impressed director Cecil B. DeMille (DeMille, Cecil B.), who cast him as the circus manager in The Greatest Show on Earth (1952). The film won the Oscar for best picture of the year, and Heston received good notices for his performance. He next starred as Andrew Jackson in The President's Lady (1953), the first of many historical roles he would undertake.

      In 1956 Heston played the role for which he would remain best-known, that of Moses in DeMille's The Ten Commandments. Established as a major star, Heston worked for several other noted directors, including Orson Welles (Welles, Orson) in Touch of Evil (1958) and William Wyler (Wyler, William) in Ben-Hur (1959). Ben-Hur won 11 Academy Awards, including a best actor award for Heston; the film secured his position as the premiere historical character actor in Hollywood. The films that followed placed him in several larger-than-life roles: the eponymous Spanish warrior in El Cid (1961), Michelangelo in The Agony and the Ecstasy (1965), and John the Baptist in The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965).

      In 1968 Heston starred in the western Will Penny, a role that he counted among his favourites, and in Planet of the Apes, the first in a short series of science-fiction films for the actor. He had a minor role in the sequel Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970) and later starred in the cult favourites The Omega Man (1971) and Soylent Green (1973). Despite such excursions into eclectic fare, however, Heston continued to be known for his work in period dramas. He twice played Mark Antony, in Julius Caesar (1970) and in Antony and Cleopatra (1973), which he also directed. His other notable roles include Jack London's hero John Thornton in Call of the Wild (1972), Cardinal Richelieu in The Three Musketeers (1973) and its sequel The Four Musketeers (1974), and for cable television Sir Thomas More in A Man for All Seasons (1988), Long John Silver in Treasure Island (1990), Sherlock Holmes in The Crucifer of Blood (1991), and Brigham Young in The Avenging Angel (1995).

      Heston also involved himself in politics in and out of Hollywood, serving as president of the Screen Actors Guild (1966–71), chairman of the American Film Institute (1973–83), and president of the National Rifle Association (National Rifle Association of America) (1998–2003).

Additional Reading

Michael Munn, Charlton Heston (1986).

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