Actor Charlton Heston: biography, photo. Movies and series

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Moses, Ben Hur, Michelangelo, John the Baptist - whoever Charlton Heston has played in his life. The peak of the popularity of a talented actor came in the 50-70s. He got into the lists of the brightest Hollywood stars thanks to the blockbuster The Greatest Show in the World. Charlton passed away in 2008, death overtook him at the age of 84. What is the story of an 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 into a family far from the world of art. His father worked at a sawmill, and his mother was a housewife. Charlton's ancestry is predominantly English, but there are also Scots.

John Charles Carter is the name given to the actor at birth. The boy was only ten years old when his parents separated. Shortly thereafter, Charlton's mother connected her life with Chester Heston. It was the name of his stepfather that he used as a stage name in the future.

As a child, Charlton Heston almost did not stand out from the crowdpeers. At that time, he did not even think about filming a movie. Hobbies of the future star were hunting and fishing.

Youth years

Charlton showed interest in dramatic art in his teens. It all started with a key role in the amateur play Peer Gynt. When World War II began, Heston did not stand aside. His service was held 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 fashion model, and achieved some success in this area. However, the young man dreamed of more. His first major achievement was the role in the Broadway production of Antony and Cleopatra. Thanks to this, directors drew attention to him.

First roles

Aspiring actor Charlton Heston starred in episodes of several TV series, lit up as Antony in the film Julius Caesar. Further, 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 brought public attention to the actor. Bright blue eyes, square jaw, muscular body and tall height - Heston had all the data to play playboys. Most often, he was offered just such roles, but Charlton made every effort 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. Exactlythen the blockbuster "The Greatest Show in the World" was presented to the public. In a melodrama that tells the story of a giant traveling circus, he brilliantly played a key role.

Next, 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. This was followed by the role of other charismatic figures. Over the years, he has 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 the film "Under the Planet of the Apes" Heston also embodied the image of a key character.

70s Movies

In the 70s Charlton Heston continued to work actively. The filmography of the talented actor was constantly updated:

• "Julius Caesar".
• "Hawaiians".
• "Omega Man".
• “Vietnam! Vietnam!”.
• Antony and Cleopatra.
• "The Hijacker".
• Call of the Wild.
• Three Musketeers.
• The Four Musketeers.
• "Earthquake".
• The Last Cool People.
• "Two Minute Warning".
• The Prince and the Pauper.
• The Gray Lady goes into the depths.

Political activities

In the eighties, the popularity of the actor began to decline. This was due to the fact that he was less and less shown on the set. Heston supported the militaryThe United States campaign, in particular, advocated a war in Iraq. He also protested against false political correctness.

Private life

How did Charlton Heston's personal life turn out? He met the woman of his dreams when he was working as a fashion model. The attention of the young man was attracted by the aspiring actress Lydia Clark. He lived many happy years with his chosen one, only his death separated them.

Lydia has not had much success in the world of cinema, but she can be seen in the films "Nuclear City", "Bad for each other", "Will Penny", as well as in the series "First Studio". Clarke gave Heston two children who chose careers outside the dramatic arts.

He alth problems, death

Back in 1998, Charlton was diagnosed with serious he alth problems. The actor was diagnosed with prostate cancer, but he managed to defeat it. In 2002, the public learned that the star was showing symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Since then, Heston has been careful not to appear in public.

The talented actor, who played many bright roles, passed away in April 2008. Doctors listed pneumonia as the cause of his death.