Charlton Heston Dead at the Age of 84: Remembering Him Outside of Film

On April 5, 2008, Charlton Heston passed away from advanced Alzheimer's disease. Many people, when they think of Charlton Heston, think of his film roles, such as Moses in The Ten Commandments, Colonel George Taylor in Planet of the Apes, or Judas Ben-Hur in Ben-Hur. Charlton Heston was an actor, yes, but he also played a part in politics throughout his life, campaigning for civil rights, gun rights, and campaigning against racism and political correctness.

Charlton Heston was well-known in his efforts for civil rights activism in the 1950s. In fact, one of his films was segregated even at the premiere, and Heston himself joined the picket line. He felt that he was helping the cause of civil rights "long before Hollywood found it fashionable." (Goodrich)
Charlton Heston campaigned against affirmative action as well, feeling that it was a form of racism and political correctness gone awry. He believed that the political correctness that runs rampant today in America is a detriment to society, saying that it basically was "tyranny with manners." (IMDB)
Charlton Heston appeared on the Joey Bishop Show in 1968 after President Kennedy's assassination, calling for support of the new President Johnson's Gun Control Act.

As the president of the National Rifle Association (NRA), Charlton Heston became a national symbol for gun rights, especially with his statement at the 2000 NRA convention about Al Gore's gun control policy. He stated that Al Gore would take Second Amendment rights "from my cold, dead, hands." (Johnson) This has become an unofficial motto of those who support gun rights in the United States. Heston was interviewed by Michael Moore (without Heston's consent) during the filming of Bowling for Columbine, a film about gun control made after the 1999 Columbine shootings. Charlton Heston became indignant at Moore, excused himself (on camera no less) and simply walked out on the interview.

In 2002, Charlton Heston made a public announcement that he had been diagnosed with the early onset symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. This is a brain-degenerative disease that causes people to lose their memory, mental functioning and control over bodily functions. The illness progressed very rapidly until 2006, when it became a concern of Heston's family that he wouldn't survive the next year. Last night, though, on April 5, Charlton Heston succumbed to his illness and passed away peacefully. Following is a small excerpt from a statement issued by his family.

"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."

The full text of the statement is available in the first link below.

Sources:

Goodrich, Terry Lee. "Heston decries political correctness at fund-raiser", Fort Worth Star-Telegram, February 13, 2000, pp. 5
Johnson, Jeff. "Heston to Step Down as NRA President: The Nation, April 25, 2003.
www.imdb.com/name/nm0000032/bio
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