Who Is Charlton Heston? Age, Biography and Wiki
Charlton Heston was born on October 4, 1923, and passed away on April 5, 2008. As of 2025, he would have been 102 years old, celebrating a remarkable life filled with cinematic triumphs and personal challenges. Heston was an iconic American actor known for his compelling performances in epic films such as Ben-Hur, The Ten Commandments, and Planet of the Apes. His notable work earned him two Academy Awards and a legacy that continues to influence actors and filmmakers today. Heston was also a prominent political activist and a former president of the National Rifle Association (NRA), underscoring his multifaceted contributions to society.
| Occupation | Voice Actors |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | October 4, 1923 |
| Age | 84 Years |
| Birth Place | Wilmette, Illinois, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Libra |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 5 April, 2008 |
| Died Place | Beverly Hills, California, U.S. |
Popularity
Charlton Heston's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Charlton Heston stood at a height of approximately 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) and had a powerful physique that added to his commanding screen presence. During his prime, he weighed around 190 pounds (86 kg), maintaining a proportionate and athletic build that allowed him to take on physically demanding roles. His strong features, deep voice, and charismatic demeanor made him a standout figure in Hollywood.
In 1996, Heston received a hip replacement. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1998. Following a course of radiation treatment, the cancer went into remission. In 2000, he publicly disclosed that he had been treated for alcoholism at a Utah clinic in May–June of that year.
On August 9, 2002, he publicly announced (via a taped message) that he had been diagnosed with symptoms which are consistent with Alzheimer's disease. In July 2003, in his final public appearance, Heston received the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House from President George W. Bush.
In March 2005, various newspapers reported that family and friends were shocked by the progression of his illness and that he was sometimes unable to get out of bed.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Heston was married to Lydia Clarke, his college sweetheart, on March 17, 1944. The couple shared a deep bond that lasted until his death, with Charlton often crediting Lydia as his inspiration and support throughout his career. They had two children together, Holly Ann and Fraser Clarke Heston, both of whom pursued careers in the entertainment industry. Despite various challenges, including Heston's battle with Alzheimer's disease in later years, their marriage remained strong and loving.
Heston gained stardom for his leading roles as Moses in The Ten Commandments (1956), and as the title role of Ben-Hur (1959), the latter of which earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor.
His other notable credits include The Greatest Show on Earth (1952), Secret of the Incas (1954), Touch of Evil (1958), The Big Country (1958), El Cid (1961), The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965), Khartoum (1966), Planet of the Apes (1968), Julius Caesar (1970), The Omega Man (1971), Antony and Cleopatra (1972), Soylent Green (1973), The Three Musket
eers (1974), Airport 1975 (1974), Earthquake (1974), and Crossed Swords (1978).
He later acted in Mother Lode (1982), Tombstone (1993), True Lies (1994), Alaska (1996), and Hamlet (1996).
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing in 2008, Charlton Heston's net worth was estimated to be around $40 million. His wealth was accrued through a prolific career in motion pictures, television appearances, and stage performances. Heston also smartly invested in real estate and various business ventures throughout his life, contributing to his financial legacy. Today, his estate continues to honor his contributions to the arts and preserve his memory.
Career, Business and Investments
Charlton Heston's career spanned over five decades, establishing him as one of the most influential actors in American film history. He starred in a range of genres, from biblical epics to science fiction, leaving an indelible mark on audiences worldwide. Beyond acting, Heston ventured into directing and producing, showcasing his versatility and leadership in the industry.
In addition to his film career, Heston was an outspoken advocate for civil rights and the Second Amendment, often using his platform to influence public opinion. His business acumen extended to real estate investments and other entrepreneurial endeavors, which further solidified his financial stability throughout his life.
The third stage began in 1972. Heston rejected the liberalism of George McGovern and supported Republican Richard Nixon in 1972 for president. In the 1980s, he gave strong support to Ronald Reagan during his conservative presidency.
In 1995, Heston entered his fourth stage by establishing his own political action fund-raising committee and jumped into the internal politics of the National Rifle Association.
He gave numerous culture wars speeches and interviews upholding the conservative position, blaming media and academia for imposing affirmative action, which he saw as unfair reverse discrimination.
Social Network
Although Charlton Heston passed away in 2008, his legacy continues to thrive on social media and various online platforms. Numerous fan pages and tribute accounts celebrate his contributions to cinema and activism. The official pages dedicated to his work often share memorable quotes, film clips, and rare behind-the-scenes footage, keeping his spirit alive for new generations of fans.
Heston focused on epics: he was John the Baptist in The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965); Michelangelo in The Agony and the Ecstasy (1965) opposite Rex Harrison; the title role in Major Dundee (1965), directed by Sam Peckinpah. The War Lord (1965), directed by Franklin J.
Schaffner, was on a smaller scale and critically acclaimed, though commercially it fared poorly. In Khartoum (1966) Heston played General Charles Gordon. From 1965 until 1971, Heston served as president of the Screen Actors Guild.
The Guild had been created in 1933 for the benefit of actors, who had different interests from the producers and directors who controlled the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He was more conservative than most actors and publicly clashed with outspoken liberal actors such as Ed Asner.
Counterpoint (1968) was a war film that was not particularly successful at the box office. Neither was the Western Will Penny (1968), directed by Tom Gries; however, Heston received excellent reviews and it was one of his favorite films.
Education
Heston attended Northwestern University, where he studied drama and won a prestigious acting award. After serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, he returned to Northwestern to finish his degree. Heston's education played a crucial role in shaping his acting techniques and nurturing his passion for storytelling, ultimately becoming a foundation for his illustrious career in Hollywood.
Heston frequently recounted that while growing up in northern Michigan in a sparsely populated area, he often wandered in the forest, "acting" out characters from books he had read.
Later, in high school, he enrolled in New Trier's drama program, playing the lead role in the amateur silent 16 mm film adaptation of Peer Gynt, from the Ibsen play, by future film activist David Bradley released in 1941.
From the Winnetka Community Theatre (or the Winnetka Dramatist's Guild, as it was then known) in which he was active, he earned a drama scholarship to Northwestern University. He attended college from 1941 to 1943 and among his acting teachers was Alvina Krause.
Several years later, Heston teamed up with Bradley to produce the first sound version of William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, in which Heston played Mark Antony.
