Hollywood legend Charlton Heston dies at age 84
{{date|April 6, 2008}}
{{Infobox Culture and entertainment}}
[[Image:Poitier Belafonte Heston Civil Rights March 1963.jpg|left|thumb|[[w:Sidney Poitier|Sidney Poitier]], [[w:Harry Belafonte|Harry Belafonte]], and [[w:Charlton Heston|Charlton Heston]] at a civil rights march in [[Washington, D.C.]] in 1963.]]
Screen legend and conservative icon [[w:Charlton Heston|Charlton Heston]], twice winner of an [[w:Academy Award|Academy Award]] during his 50 year film career, died Saturday, April 5 in [[w:Beverly Hills, California|Beverly Hills]], [[w:California|California]].

"To his loving friends, colleagues and fans, we appreciate your heartfelt prayers and support. Charlton Heston was seen by the world as larger than life. No one could ask for a fuller life than his. No man could have given more to his family, to his profession, and to his country. In his own words, 'I have lived such a wonderful life. I've lived enough for two people,'" said his family in a statement released to the press.

Heston starred in the 1959 film ''[[w:Ben-Hur (1959 film)|Ben Hur]]'' which won 11 [[w:Academy Awards|Academy Awards]]. He also starred in the 1968 film ''[[w:The Planet of The Apes (film)|The Planet of The Apes]]''.  Near the end of his life, he primarily did cameo roles, including two in the films ''Tombstone'' with Kurt Russell, and ''True Lies'' with Arnold Schwarzenegger. 

Heston's family did not state the cause of death, but in 2002, he revealed that he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Heston was 84.

In his early career, Heston spoke out against racism and was active in the civil rights movement. He played in films such as [[w:The Omega Man|''The Omega Man'']] and [[w:Soylent Green|''Soylent Green'']] (which ends with Heston saying "''Soylent Green is people!''"), which contain a strong environmental message.

Heston was also president of the [[w:National Rifle Association|National Rifle Association]] from 1998 to 2003. In 2000, he declared at the NRA convention that Presidential candidate [[w:Al Gore|Al Gore]] could only take away his [[w:Second Amendment to the United States Constitution|Second Amendment]] rights "From my cold, dead hands," raising a presentation rifle over his head.

{{haveyoursay}}
== Sources ==
{{Wikipediapar|Charlton Heston}}
*{{source|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,346965,00.html
|title=Charlton Heston dies at Beverly Hills home
|author=Associated Press
|pub=FOX News
|date=April 6, 2008}}
*{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7332960.stm
|title=Ben Hur star Charlton Heston dies
|author=
|pub=BBC News Online
|date=April 6, 2008}}
*{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2496037.stm
|title=Obituary: Charlton Heston
|author=
|pub=BBC News Online
|date=April 6, 2008}}

{{publish}}
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[[Category:Film]]
[[Category:Culture and entertainment]]
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:California]]
[[Category:Obituaries]]

[[fr:Décès de l'acteur américain Charlton Heston]]
[[it:Addio a Charlton Heston, 1924-2008]]
[[pt:Morre o ator americano Charlton Heston]]
Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, and Charlton Heston at a civil rights march in Washington, D.C. in 1963.
Screen legend and conservative icon Charlton Heston, twice winner of an Academy Award during his 50 year film career, died Saturday, April 5 in Beverly Hills, California.

"To his loving friends, colleagues and fans, we appreciate your heartfelt prayers and support. Charlton Heston was seen by the world as larger than life. No one could ask for a fuller life than his. No man could have given more to his family, to his profession, and to his country. In his own words, 'I have lived such a wonderful life. I've lived enough for two people,'" said his family in a statement released to the press.

Heston starred in the 1959 film Ben Hur which won 11 Academy Awards. He also starred in the 1968 film The Planet of The Apes.  Near the end of his life, he primarily did cameo roles, including two in the films Tombstone with Kurt Russell, and True Lies with Arnold Schwarzenegger. 

Heston's family did not state the cause of death, but in 2002, he revealed that he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Heston was 84.

In his early career, Heston spoke out against racism and was active in the civil rights movement. He played in films such as The Omega Man and Soylent Green (which ends with Heston saying "Soylent Green is people!"), which contain a strong environmental message.

Heston was also president of the National Rifle Association from 1998 to 2003. In 2000, he declared at the NRA convention that Presidential candidate Al Gore could only take away his Second Amendment rights "From my cold, dead hands," raising a presentation rifle over his head.

fr:Décès de l'acteur américain Charlton Heston
it:Addio a Charlton Heston, 1924-2008
Morre o ator americano Charlton Heston
Film Culture and entertainment United States California Obituaries