Monday, April 7, 2008

"Take Your Stinkin' Paws Off Me, You Damn Dirty Ape"- Charleton Heston 1924-2008

Over the weekend, we lost more than an actor and political activist. A wife lost her husband; a man and a woman lost their father; and three children lost their grandfather. Charlton Heston died Saturday at his Beverly Hills home, suffering from the late stages of Alzheimer's disease.

Best known for his roles in The Ten Commandments (1956), Ben Hur (1959),Planet of the Apes (1968), and Tombstone (1993), Heston was a very versatile actor. His range was wide, preventing him from being type-cast into a single genre of movies; a very important asset for an actor.

In addition to acting, Heston was a political activist. Probably best remembered as the President of the National Rifle Association (NRA) from 1998 to 2002, Heston was also an activist for civil rights as well. Many may not remember, or simply don't know, Heston joined civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and attended the 1963 March on Washington, standing very nearby while King delivered his "I Have A Dream" speech.

Heston was a controversial figure during his presidency of the NRA, but whether people agreed with him or disagreed, they could never say that his heart wasn't in it. He was always very passionate when speaking, as well as when acting. Born John Charles Carter, the man whom we all came to know as Charlton Heston will be missed.

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