From the film trailer of Ben-Hur                   Heston with United States President Ronald Reagan
                                                                     during a meeting for the Presidential Task Force on the
                                                                     Arts and Humanities in the White House Cabinet Room, 1981.

Charlton Heston (born John Charles Carter; October 4, 1923 – April 5, 2008) was an American Academy Award
winning actor of film, theater and television. Heston is known for having played heroic roles, such as
Moses in The Ten Commandments, Colonel George Taylor in Planet of the Apes and Judah Ben-Hur in Ben-Hur,
the role for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor. In the 1950s and 1960s he was one of a handful
of Hollywood actors to speak openly against racism and was an active supporter of the Civil Rights
Movement. Initially a liberal Democrat, he later supported conservative politics and was president of the
National Rifle Association from 1998 to 2003.

Heston was born John Charles Carter in No Man's Land, an unincorporated area between Evanston and
Wilmette, Illinois, the son of Lilla (née Charlton) and Russell Whitford Carter, a mill operator.
(However, the 1930 Census for Richfield, Michigan (see St. Helen, Michigan), where the family then lived,
reports Russell Whitford Carter was a real estate salesman. Heston himself in his autobiography refers
only to his father participating in his family's construction business). Heston was of English and
Scottish descent and a member of the Fraser clan.

Actor George Clooney joked about Heston's failing health at a 2003 National Board of Review award
ceremony, saying that Heston "announced again today that he is suffering from Alzheimer's." When
questioned, Clooney said Heston deserved whatever was said about him for his involvement with the NRA.
Heston responded by saying Clooney lacked class, and said he felt sorry for Clooney, as Clooney had as
much of a chance of developing Alzheimer's as anyone else. Heston opposed abortion and gave the
introduction to a 1987 pro-life documentary by Bernard Nathanson called Eclipse of Reason which focuses
on late-term abortions. Heston served on the Advisory Board of Accuracy in Media, a conservative media
watchdog group founded by Reed Irvine.

Heston also was president of the Screen Actors Guild (1965-71), helped create the American Film Institute
and actively supported the National Endowment for the Arts. A champion of civil rights (he participated in
Dr. Martin Luther King's 1963 civil rights march in Washington, D.C.), Heston also served as president of
the U.S. National Rifle Association (1998-2003).

Heston made a cameo in 2001's "Planet of the Apes" remake as Tim Roth's father, meaning his role was so
small he can in no way be blamed for the film's many flaws. This was one of his rare appearances in film
or television, though he has stayed active in his political causes. In 2002, he lent his voice to an
animated version of "Ben-hur" which was produced by his son Fraser and shortly after announced he is has
been diagnosed with Alzheimer's

Heston revealed in 2002 that he had symptoms consistent with Alzheimer's disease, saying, "I must
reconcile courage and surrender in equal measure."

In 2003, President George W. Bush awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest
civilian honor, for his accomplishments in movies and politics. He was also awarded by the American Film
Institute to honor acting talent.

Heston died on Saturday, April 5, 2008 at his home in Beverly Hills, California, with Lydia, his wife of
64 years, by his side. He was 84 and survived not only by his wife but his children, a son, Fraser Clarke
Heston and an adopted daughter, Holly Ann Heston. The cause of death is currently unknown. Heston's family
released a statement, reading, "Charlton Heston was seen by the world as larger than life. He was known
for his chiselled jaw, broad shoulders and resonating voice, and, of course, for the roles he played. 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." Early tributes came in from leading figures; President George W. Bush called Heston
"man of character and integrity, with a big heart," adding, "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 [to bear arms]." Former First Lady Nancy Reagan, wife of former President Ronald Reagan
(who died in 2004 from complications of Alzheimer's disease) said that she was "heartbroken" over Heston's
death. Reagan released a statement, reading, "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 that he
stepped up to support Ronnie in whatever he was doing."