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TechnoratiCharlton Heston, the actor who heard the voice of God as Moses in "The Ten Commandments" and met Jesus Christ face-to-face as a Jewish slave in "Ben Hur," died Saturday night at his Beverly Hills home. He was 84.
(Photo: AP Images / American Movie Classics, File)In this 1955 file photo Charlton Heston in charecter as Moses in 'The Ten Commandments.' Heston, who won the 1959 best actor Oscar as the chariot-racing 'Ben-Hur' and portrayed Moses, Michelangelo, El Cid and other heroic figures in movie epics of the '50s and '60s, has died. He was 84.
Lydia, who was married to the legendary actor for 64 years, was by his side when he passed away.
Heston "was seen by the world as larger than life," his family said in a statement.
"He was known for his chiseled jaw, broad shoulders and resonating voice, and, of course, for the roles he played. Indeed, he committed himself to every role with passion, and pursued every cause with unmatched enthusiasm and integrity."
His family thanked friends and fans for their prayers and support in the statement but did not mention the cause of his death.
"We knew him as an adoring husband, a kind and devoted father, and a gentle grandfather, with an infectious sense of humor. He served these far greater roles with tremendous faith, courage and dignity. He loved deeply, and he was deeply loved," they said.
Originally born John Charlton Carter on October 4, 1923, in Evanston, Ill., the actor created his pseudonym by combining his mother's maiden name, Charlton, with his stepfather's name, Heston, according to Agence France-Presse.
Heston went on to carve a name for himself in Hollywood. He eventually landed his breakthrough role when filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille casted him as a circus manager in the 1952 Academy-award winning movie "The Greatest Show on Earth."
The talented actor was also known for starring in several biblical epics that further emblazoned his achievements.
His physique and resonating voice often blurred the lines between actor and character, most notably in his portrayal of the iconic Moses in "The Ten Commandments." DeMille, who directed the Technicolor blockbuster, reportedly chose Heston for the role because he thought the muscular, 6 ft. 3 in., granite-jawed actor bore an uncanny resemblance to Michelangelo's famous statue of Moses.
"My choice was strikingly confirmed," De Mille wrote, according to The Los Angeles Times, "when I had a sketch made of Charlton Heston in a white beard and happened to set it beside a photograph of Michelangelo's famous statue of Moses. The resemblance was amazing; and it was not merely an external likeness."
In an interview several years ago with Christian movie critic Dr. Ted Baehr, publisher of Movieguide, Heston said it was during filming the "Commandments" with De Mille that his Christian faith was strengthened.
According to Baehr's tribute commentary on Heston, De Mille had fallen off a 4-foot ladder while preparing a shot and no one expected the movie to continue. The very next day, Baehr recounted Heston as saying, De Mille – a preacher's son – returned to the set, distributed copies of The New Testament and told everyone about "the saving good news of Jesus Christ and how Jesus Christ had healed him."
Heston had also spoken to Baehr about De Mille's strong Christian faith and understanding of how good the biblical stories were.
"Chuck said that this event changed his life and brought him close to Jesus Christ," wrote Baehr.
But Heston's most famous role came in 1959's "Ben-Hur," which earned him an Oscar for Best Actor.
The movie told the story of the life of Jesus Christ through a character named Judah Ben Hur, a Jewish prince who is sold into slavery and seeks revenge for his injustice. Judah's life and heart begins to overturn after his encounter with Jesus and eventually learns forgiveness through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. Continue »
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