Actor Charlton Heston, Dead at Age 84

April 6th, 2008 · No Comments · Tagged as Charlton Heston · Deaths

Legendary actor Charlton Heston passed away last night, April 5, at his Beverly Hills home - he was 84 at the time of his death.

Charlton Heston was a classic film actor, winning the 1959 best actor Oscar for “Ben-Hur,” and starring in “The Ten Commandments,” “El Cid,” “55 Days at Peking,” “Planet of the Apes” and “Earthquake,” among many other films.

Heston’s family issued this statement:

“Charlton Heston was seen by the world as larger than life. He was known for his chiseled 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.”

In 2002, Charlton Heston said he had symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, saying, “I must reconcile courage and surrender in equal measure.”

Charlton Heston served as president of the Screen Actors Guild and chairman of the American Film Institute, as well as presided over the National Rife Association from 1998 through 2003.

Charlton Heston and his wife, Lydia, had been married 64 years.