Charlton Heston Dies at 84

[Aurone]

LOS ANGELES - Charlton Heston, who won the 1959 best actor Oscar as the chariot-racing "Ben-Hur" and portrayed Moses, Michelangelo, El Cid and other heroic figures in movie epics of the '50s and '60s, has died. He was 84.

The actor died Saturday night at his home in Beverly Hills with his wife Lydia at his side, family spokesman Bill Powers said.

Powers declined to comment on the cause of death or provide further details.

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

With his large, muscular build, well-boned face and sonorous voice, Heston proved the ideal star during the period when Hollywood was filling movie screens with panoramas depicting the religious and historical past. "I have a face that belongs in another century," he often remarked.

The actor assumed the role of leader offscreen as well. He served as president of the Screen Actors Guild and chairman of the American Film Institute and marched in the civil rights movement of the 1950s. With age, he grew more conservative and campaigned for conservative candidates.

In June 1998, Heston was elected president of the National Rifle Association, for which he had posed for ads holding a rifle. He delivered a jab at then-President Clinton, saying, "America doesn't trust you with our 21-year-old daughters, and we sure, Lord, don't trust you with our guns."

Heston stepped down as NRA president in April 2003, telling members his five years in office were "quite a ride. ... I loved every minute of it."

Later that year, Heston was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. "The largeness of character that comes across the screen has also been seen throughout his life," President Bush said at the time.

He engaged in a lengthy feud with liberal Ed Asner during the latter's tenure as president of the Screen Actors Guild. His latter-day activism almost overshadowed his achievements as an actor, which were considerable.

Heston lent his strong presence to some of the most acclaimed and successful films of the midcentury. "Ben-Hur" won 11 Academy Awards, tying it for the record with the more recent "Titanic" (1997) and "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" (2003). Heston's other hits include: "The Ten Commandments," "El Cid," "55 Days at Peking," "Planet of the Apes" and "Earthquake."

He liked the cite the number of historical figures he had portrayed:

Andrew Jackson ("The President's Lady," "The Buccaneer"), Moses ("The Ten Commandments"), title role of "El Cid," John the Baptist ("The Greatest Story Ever Told"), Michelangelo ("The Agony and the Ecstasy"), General Gordon ("Khartoum"), Marc Antony ("Julius Caesar," "Antony and Cleopatra"), Cardinal Richelieu ("The Three Musketeers"), Henry VIII ("The Prince and the Pauper").

Heston made his movie debut in the 1940s in two independent films by a college classmate, David Bradley, who later became a noted film archivist. He had the title role in "Peer Gynt" in 1942 and was Marc Antony in Bradley's 1949 version of "Julius Caesar," for which Heston was paid $50 a week.

Film producer Hal B. Wallis ("Casablanca") spotted Heston in a 1950 television production of "Wuthering Heights" and offered him a contract. When his wife reminded him that they had decided to pursue theater and television, he replied, "Well, maybe just for one film to see what it's like."

Heston earned star billing from his first Hollywood movie, "Dark City," a 1950 film noir. Cecil B. DeMille next cast him as the circus manager in the all-star "The Greatest Show On Earth," named by the Motion Picture Academy as the best picture of 1952



I doubt there's anyone who hasn't seen or heard of atleast one of his movies. Reall sad. RIP.

[Wrathborne]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080406/ap_on_en_mo/obit_heston
-----

damn fine actor, one of hollywoods finest, Strong supporter of the second ammendment and all around ape ass kicker.

RIP chuck.

[K.I.N.G]

Damn shame, R.I.P.

[K.I.N.G]

Damn shame, R.I.P.

[Wrathborne]

beat yer thread by 1 minute, lol.

[Dr. Loomis]

I wonder if we'll have to pry that gun from
his old dead hands?

[Searcher]

It's cold dead hands.

All the greats are leaving us. RIP

[xxsic4slipknotxx]

A great actor lost. RIP!

[cmurdur]

those angels better keep their damn dirty hands off of him!

[Highwayman]

After watching Bowling for Columbine I always thought he was a dick. Great actor but not such a great person but I don't/didn't know him so he could have been the greatest guy in the world. But I will say this I was very surprised to hear he passed away on my way to work this afternoon.

[DrSatan]

RIP, didn't much care for his acting but The Omega Man was good fun.

[Grendel]

After watching Bowling for Columbine I always thought he was a dick. Great actor but not such a great person but I don't/didn't know him so he could have been the greatest guy in the world. But I will say this I was very surprised to hear he passed away on my way to work this afternoon.If I remember correctly, by the time of Columbine, Heston was already suffering from alzheimer's. Pretty crappy thing to try and interview the guy while his mind was already failing him.

[Grendel]

beat yer thread by 1 minute, lol.According to the uhm clock, he got you, my brother :D

<==== Folds threads

[BooBerry]

If I remember correctly, by the time of Columbine, Heston was already suffering from alzheimer's. Pretty crappy thing to try and interview the guy while his mind was already failing him.

I didn't remember him trying to interview Heston. It just showed some footage of him and the NRA parading in Columbine after the school shooting, which is, IMO, bullshit, Alzheimer's or not.

Other than some stupid things he'd done, sad to see him go.

[Highwayman]

If I remember correctly, by the time of Columbine, Heston was already suffering from alzheimer's. Pretty crappy thing to try and interview the guy while his mind was already failing him.


What was wrong with interviewing him. It wasn't just left up to him, i'm sure his "people" had to agree to appear on film.

[hackerslacker]

I thought he died a long time ago.

RIP

[BooBerry]

What was wrong with interviewing him. It wasn't just left up to him, i'm sure his "people" had to agree to appear on film.

Huh? No, the footage shown in BfC was public footage from the NRA meeting. No one was interviewed.

And are you talking about Heston's people as in agents? or NRA companions? Considering he was Head of the NRA I would say her organized that little meeting in Columbine.



((Keep in mind I haven't seen this movie since it first came out))

[koolmike]

I think I was 10 when I first saw The Ten Commandments. I remember believing that CH was really Moses :lol: Hey, that's how great an actor he was. Definitely deserved the Best Actor Oscar for Ben Hur in '59. I've always admired his pure acting ability. Another Hollywood icon is gone. RIP.

[Highwayman]

Huh? No, the footage shown in BfC was public footage from the NRA meeting. No one was interviewed.

And are you talking about Heston's people as in agents? or NRA companions? Considering he was Head of the NRA I would say her organized that little meeting in Columbine.



((Keep in mind I haven't seen this movie since it first came out))

I was talking about the interview at his home towards the end of the interview.

[BooBerry]

Oh I don't even remember seeing that part.

[pastor_ice43]

Basing an opinion on anyone or anything from watching any Michael Moore movie is a fault in itself.

[Misfit]

lost all respect for him after watching BFC. that being said i did enjoy quite a few of his movies

[dead breed]

R.I.P

The 10 Commandments and Ben Hur = Awesomeness

[Tarantino]

Basing an opinion on anyone or anything from watching any Michael Moore movie is a fault in itself.

Yeah, but dismissing everything he says is just as idiotic as believing everything he says.

[Knight]

Yeah, but dismissing everything he says is just as idiotic as believing everything he says.

Not really. When you use deceptive and dishonest tactics in order to get your point across then you don't deserve to be taken seriously.

[pastor_ice43]

Exactly. Moore has yet to release a film where the truth, and honestly outweighed the deception he uses. As far as I'm concerned, he's lost all credibility as a true documentarian, and anything he says is nothing but a grain of salt.

[BooBerry]

Not really. When you use deceptive and dishonest tactics in order to get your point across then you don't deserve to be taken seriously.

Doesn't the government do that too though?

[Luris Blear]

Doesn't the government do that too though?Yep. Both parties. The one Moore vocally despises and the one he somehow seems to have campaigned for in the last two elections.

Wait... does that mean Michael Moore is half-Republican?

[Searcher]

Not really. When you use deceptive and dishonest tactics in order to get your point across then you don't deserve to be taken seriously.

Name one

[Misfit]

deceptive and dishonest tactics in order to get your point across.........hummmm your country is lead by the master of this :ahheh:

[Luris Blear]

Name onehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_moore -- Check out Roger & Me, Fahrenheit 9/11 and Bowling for Columbine in particular. Moore seems to have a habit of depicting facts out of sequence in order to achieve results. And if need be, there's also this read which even graciously seems to link back to Moore's counter-arguments:
http://www.davekopel.org/Terror/Fiftysix-Deceits-in-Fahrenheit-911.htm#2000_Election_Night

Misfit, our nation of career politicians has little room for anyone except accomplished deceivers. Don't forget that our last President tried to claim that fellatio isn't sex.

This year, I'm only speaking loudly enough to say that partisan hate is stupid.

[Misfit]

Misfit, our nation of career politicians has little room for anyone except accomplished deceivers. Don't forget that our last President tried to claim that fellatio isn't sex.

its not :ahheh:

[pastor_ice43]

Name one

BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE

-In the "open an account, get a free gun" segment, Moore made it seem as if you opened an account and immediately got the weapon. He did this by phoning the bank weeks in advance to open the account, and thus when he went to the bank on camera and got the gun, it created the illusion that he in fact was able to get the gun that day. In reality, the bank followed standard protocol and not only did a thorough background check, but the customers had to wait 10 days to actually get the gun.

-The entire premise of the film was shady. Instead of exploring the true gun violence problem in America; primarily urban gang warfare; he chose to dwell on a situation that is extremely rare, and attack people like hunters who not only have good reason for having guns, but also get them through the proper channels that would deny access to a felon or someone who was a potential threat with the weapon. His take on the whole situation was an unrealistic and over the top view of the true problem and what kind of real solution "gun control" would have.

Fahrenheit 9/11

Just to name A FEW...

-Moore made it seem as if Bush won Florida because his chairwoman counted the votes, when in fact, votes in Florida are counted individual counties by the election commissioner in that county.

-Moore also showed an interview with Jeffery Toobin that made it seem as if the Supreme Court allowed a re-count of the votes beyond the legal deadline, and that every count went in Gore's favor. The truth however is that Moore only used segments of the interviews and left out the rest that showed that the ONLY recount that went in Gore's favor was one in which the recounting of the votes in florida was in violation of florida law.

-Moore makes it seem as if Bush spent 47% of his Presidency before 9\11 on vacation. Moore forgot to mention that that percentage INCLUDED weekends (which are the presidents days off)...Moore also forgot to mention that most of the "vacation time" at Camp David was talks with foreign leaders, and not true time off.

-Moore results to cheap shots by making it seem Bush felt the terrorist attacks were unimportant because he kept reading to the children in the classroom when he was notified, when in reality, he was handeling the situation in the best way possible by not running out the room and causing a panic. (To Moore's credit though, he was smart to do this as i personally know a few morons who actually fell for it)

The list just keeps going.

Michael Moore is to extreme liberals what Bush is to extreme conservatives. Anyone who eats everything he says up like the gospel deserves to be lied to, just like any conservative who honestly tries to defend some of Bush's antics, despite their obvious negative impact. Moore is a hack, plain and simple.

[Grendel]

I didn't remember him trying to interview Heston. It just showed some footage of him and the NRA parading in Columbine after the school shooting, which is, IMO, bullshit, Alzheimer's or not.

Other than some stupid things he'd done, sad to see him go.What was wrong with interviewing him. It wasn't just left up to him, i'm sure his "people" had to agree to appear on film.My problem was more that Moore made some big show of making the attempt by going to his house and having it look like Heston was ducking him when, really, he was likely in no condition to appear.

(As I recall, the Heston footage was stock and from other appearances. If anyone's seen this more recently, let me know if Moore actually got a sit-down with CH).

[Grendel]

Name oneWell, as far as Fahrenheit, goes, I was more than a little put off by the way he alternated between portraying soldiers as metal-blaring, trigger-happy dipshits and showing them as pitiable dupes led into a meatgrinder through deception and careless planning.

[choptop2]

Moore actually does sit down and speak with Heston in the film.

CLIP: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Q1iuEcu7O50

[Searcher]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_moore -- Check out Roger & Me, Fahrenheit 9/11 and Bowling for Columbine in particular. Moore seems to have a habit of depicting facts out of sequence in order to achieve results. And if need be, there's also this read which even graciously seems to link back to Moore's counter-arguments:
http://www.davekopel.org/Terror/Fiftysix-Deceits-in-Fahrenheit-911.htm#2000_Election_Night.

It looks to me that Kopel is as guilty of cherry picking reports as everyone is accusing Mike Moore of.
He also uses the very same political tactics that Mike uses, taking facts, and forming an opinion.

He also does the same thing that alot of people do, takes a snipet from the film and tries to use it to explain how mike is trying to pull the wool over everyones eyes when in reality anyone with a half of a brain can see that Moore is just trying to make a point, not deceive.
You can look at any of the rediculious points Pastor made, or we can use this one from Kopel;
Bush is quoted as saying, "A dictatorship would be a heck of a lot easier, there's no question about it." What Moore fails to note, though, is that the quote, from July 26, 2001, is a facetious joke....,

Any dim witted fucking idiot could figure out that the joke Bush made in this clip was facetious. It should be obvious by now that Bush would rather wipe his ass with the Bill of Rights than defend it.

How bout this one,
Another Bush joke is presented as an obvious joke, although important context is missing. Near the end of the movie, Bush speaks to a tuxedoed audience. He says, "I call you the haves and the have-mores. Some call you the elite; I call you my base." The joke follows several segments in which Bush is accused of having started the Iraq war in order to enrich business. As far the movie audience can tell, Bush is speaking to some unknown group of rich people.

I never took it as anything but a joke, but it rings so true it's just not fucking funny, and it doesn't matter who the audience is.

Dave also goes on to use worn out tactics like attacking Moore's patriotism (yawn) by accusing him of being anti-american, giving aid to the enemy, being a terrorist sympathiser blah blah blah.

I don't like everything Moore does either, but I do admire him for the fact that he's one of the only people with the balls to stand up for causes that nobody wants to touch.

[Searcher]

Well, as far as Fahrenheit, goes, I was more than a little put off by the way he alternated between portraying soldiers as metal-blaring, trigger-happy dipshits and showing them as pitiable dupes led into a meatgrinder through deception and careless planning.

Well, the showing of the biggest dipshits he could find is an unfair display of the armed forces, but who can deny that the troops, the nation and indeed the world was led into Iraq through deception?