Blake Heron
The young actor who won hearts as the kind-hearted Marty Preston in 'Shiloh,' a role that defined his brief time in the spotlight.
1982–2017 (age 35)·American actor·Birthday: January 11·Millennials
Biography
Blake Heron experienced a sudden, intense burst of fame as a teenager. Cast in the lead role of the 1996 family film 'Shiloh,' based on the beloved novel, he delivered a tender and authentic performance as a boy fighting to save a mistreated dog. The film's success made him a recognizable face and a symbol of youthful compassion. Unlike many child actors, Heron did not pursue a sustained Hollywood career; his subsequent roles were few and far between, including a part in 'The Legend of the Phantom Rider.' He stepped away from acting, and his later life was marked by personal struggles. His death at 35 was a tragic loss, a reminder of the fleeting and often difficult nature of early stardom. For a generation of viewers, however, he remains forever fixed as the earnest boy from the woods of West Virginia, his performance in 'Shiloh' leaving a gentle, enduring mark.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Blake was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Blake Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Blake's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2017Died at 35
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
Key Achievements
- Starred as Marty Preston in the 1996 film 'Shiloh,' a critical and commercial success that spawned two sequels.
- His performance in 'Shiloh' helped the film win the Young Artist Award for Best Family Feature - Drama.
Did You Know?
He was discovered by a talent agent while performing in a school play in his hometown of Monterey, California.
Heron was an avid skateboarder and surfer outside of his acting work.
The role of Marty Preston in 'Shiloh' was his first major acting job.
“I just wanted to be an actor, to tell stories and connect with people.”
