Moses, Ben Hur, Michelangelo, John the Baptist - whom only Charlton Heston has played in his life. The peak of popularity of the talented actor came in the 50-70s. He got into the lists of the brightest stars in Hollywood thanks to the blockbuster “The Greatest Show of the World”. Charlton passed away in 2008, death overtook him at the age of 84. What is the story of the American who made a significant contribution to the development of cinema?
Charlton Heston: family, childhood
The actor was born in Illinois, it happened in October 1923. Charlton Heston was born in a family far from the art world. His father worked at a sawmill, and his mother was engaged in housekeeping. Among Charlton's ancestors, the British prevail, but Scots are also found.
John Charles Carter is the name given to the actor at birth. The boy was only ten years old when his parents broke up. Soon after, Charlton's mother connected her life with Chester Heston. It was the name of the stepfather that he used in the future as a stage pseudonym.
In childhood, Charlton Heston practically did not stand out from the crowd of peers. He did not even think about filming a movie. The hobbies of the future star were hunting and fishing.
Adolescence
Charlton showed interest in dramatic art as a teenager. It all started with a key role in the amateur performance of Peer Gynt. When the Second World War began, Heston did not stand aside. His service took place in the Aleutian Islands.
After the war, Charlton Heston moved to New York. The owner of an attractive appearance began his path to fame with the role of a photo model, achieved some success in this area. However, the young man dreamed of more. His first major achievement was his role in the Broadway production of Anthony and Cleopatra. Thanks to this, directors drew attention to him.
First roles
Novice actor Charlton Heston starred in episodes of several TV shows, appeared in the role of Anthony in the film "Julius Caesar." Then the young man brilliantly played the avenger in the thriller "Dark City", embodied the image of the American Mowgli in the western "Wild".
The first roles attracted public attention to the actor. Bright blue eyes, a square jaw, a muscular body and tall stature - Heston had all the data to play playboys. Most often he was offered just such roles, but Charlton did his best to move away from this role.
From obscurity to fame
From the biography of Charlton Heston, it follows that he acquired the status of a star in 1952. It was then that the blockbuster “The Greatest Show of the World” was presented to the public. In the melodrama, which tells the story of a giant traveling circus, he brilliantly played a key role.
Further, the young man began to create images of historical characters. He played Moses in the "Ten Commandments", embodied the image of Ben Hur in the film of the same name. Then came the roles of other charismatic figures. In different years, he played Sid, John the Baptist, Michelangelo.
In 1968, Charlton again attracted public attention. He got the main role in the fantastic film "Planet of the Apes." The film was a huge success with the audience, so the continuation of the story was not long in coming. In Under the Planet of the Apes, Heston also embodied the image of a key character.
70s movies
Charlton Heston continued to work actively in the 70s. The filmography of the talented actor was constantly updated:
- "Julius Caesar".
- "Hawaiians."
- "Omega Man."
- "Vietnam! Vietnam!".
- "Anthony and Cleopatra."
- "Aircraft hijacker."
- Call of the Ancestors.
- "Three Musketeers".
- The Four Musketeers.
- "Earthquake".
- "Last cool people."
- "Two-minute warning."
- "Prince and the Pauper".
- "The Gray Lady" goes deep. "
Political activity
In the eighties, the actor’s popularity declined. This was due to the fact that he appeared less and less on the set. Heston supported the military campaigns of the United States, in particular, advocated for the war in Iraq. He also protested against false political correctness.
Personal life
How was Charlton Heston's personal life? He met the woman of his dreams when he worked as a fashion model. The attention of a young man was attracted by aspiring actress Lydia Clark. With his chosen one, he lived many happy years, they were separated only by his death.
Lydia did not achieve much success in the world of cinema, but she can be seen in the films "Atomic City", "Bad for Each Other", "Will Penny", as well as in the series "First Studio". Clark gave Heston two children who chose professions not related to dramatic art.
Health problems, death
Back in 1998, Charlton was found to have serious health problems. The actor was diagnosed with prostate cancer, but he managed to defeat it. In 2002, the public learned that the star has symptoms of Alzheimer's. Since then, Heston tried not to appear in public.
A talented actor who played many vivid roles, passed away in April 2008. Doctors indicated pneumonia as the cause of his death.