Charlton Heston

Charlton Heston (born John Charles Carter in No Man's Land, IL on October 23, 1923) was a film, TV and theatre actor. He was married to actress Lydia Clark for over 50 years, they had two children together.

Heston had a very long and distinguished life. He played many notable roles in famous films including Moses in "The Ten Commandments", Judah Ben-Hur in "Ben-Hur" for which he won a 1959 Academy Award® for Best Lead Actor, Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar in "El Cid," Col. George Taylor in "Planet of the Apes," and Detective Robert Thorn in "Soylent Green."

Heston also had numerous TV roles and his work earned him three Emmy® Awards (1952, 1953, and 1996).

During Heston's life he was a strong, active supporter of the civil rights movement of the 1960. He took part in the civil right march on Washington parade. Heston would also go on to win the 1978 Academy Award®'s Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award doe his participation.

Later in his life Heston became an advocate for gun rights and served as president of the National Rifle Association (NRA) from 1998 to 2003.

Charlton Heston died April 5, 2008 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. He is survived by his wife Lydia, and their two children.