Charlton Heston
A granite-jawed pillar of classic Hollywood who gave voice to biblical commandments and a planet of apes, later becoming a polarizing political figure.
1923–2008 (age 85)·American actor·Birthday: October 4·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Charlton Heston's career was built on a foundation of monumental scale and moral certainty. With a commanding baritone and a physique seemingly carved from marble, he became the definitive screen Moses in 'The Ten Commandments,' a role that cemented his image as a vessel for epic righteousness. He repeated this success as the haunted title character in 'Ben-Hur,' a performance of physical endurance and spiritual anguish that won him the Academy Award. Heston thrived in genres from historical drama to science fiction, leading 'Planet of the Apes' with a simmering intelligence. His later years were defined by a forceful shift into political activism. A lifelong Democrat who marched with Martin Luther King Jr., he surprised many by moving rightward, eventually serving as the outspoken, rifle-raising president of the National Rifle Association, a role that made him a hero to some and a controversial symbol to others.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Charlton was born in 1923, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Charlton Was Born
The biggest hits of 1923
#1 Movie
The Covered Wagon
Charlton's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1923Born
The Great Kanto earthquake devastates Tokyo
President: Calvin Coolidge"Yes! We Have No Bananas" — Billy Jones
1928Started school
Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin; Mickey Mouse debuts
President: Calvin Coolidge"Ol' Man River" — Paul WhitemanBest Picture: Wings
1936Became a teenager
Jesse Owens wins four golds at the Berlin Olympics
Gas: $0.19/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"The Way You Look Tonight" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: The Great Ziegfeld
1939Could drive
World War II begins; The Wizard of Oz premieres
Gas: $0.19/galMin wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Over the Rainbow" — Judy GarlandBest Picture: Gone with the Wind
1941Could vote
Pearl Harbor attack brings the US into WWII
Gas: $0.19/galHome: $3,060Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Chattanooga Choo Choo" — Glenn MillerBest Picture: How Green Was My Valley
1944Turned 21
D-Day: Allied forces land at Normandy
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $3,400Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Swinging on a Star" — Bing CrosbyBest Picture: Going My Way
1953Turned 30
DNA structure discovered by Watson and Crick
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $8,750Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Song from Moulin Rouge" — Percy FaithBest Picture: From Here to Eternity
1963Turned 40
JFK assassinated in Dallas; Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' speech
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $13,100Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"Sugar Shack" — Jimmy Gilmer & The FireballsBest Picture: Tom Jones
1973Turned 50
US withdraws from Vietnam; Roe v. Wade decided
Gas: $0.39/galHome: $22,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" — Tony Orlando & DawnBest Picture: The Sting
1983Turned 60
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1993Turned 70
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
2003Turned 80
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
2008Died at 85
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
Key Achievements
- Won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in the 1959 epic 'Ben-Hur.'
- Portrayed Moses in Cecil B. DeMille's 'The Ten Commandments,' a role that became culturally synonymous with the actor.
- Starred as George Taylor in the groundbreaking sci-fi film 'Planet of the Apes.'
- Served as President of the National Rifle Association from 1998 to 2003.
- Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, in 2003.
Did You Know?
He served as a radio operator and aerial gunner aboard B-25 Mitchell aircraft in the Aleutian Islands during World War II.
He was the first actor to receive the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 1972.
He narrated the iconic fireworks show 'America the Beautiful' at Disneyland for many years.
He turned down the lead role in 'Doctor Zhivago,' which later went to Omar Sharif.
“A man is a fool who doesn't learn from his own mistakes, but he's a damn fool who doesn't learn from other people's mistakes.”
