Who was Charlton Heston?

Charlton Heston (1923–2008) was an American actor celebrated for his commanding presence and voice, often portraying historical and literary figures. His career took off after impressing Cecil B. DeMille, who cast him in The Greatest Show on Earth (1952). Heston became a major star after playing Moses in The Ten Commandments (1956). Heston won the best actor award for Ben-Hur (1959), solidifying his status in Hollywood. He starred in El Cid (1961), The Agony and the Ecstasy (1965), and Planet of the Apes (1968). From 1966 to 1971 he was president of the Screen Actors Guild, and later was chairman of the American Film Institute (1973–83). Heston was also president of the National Rifle Association (1998–2003).

What are some famous movies Charlton Heston starred in?

Charlton Heston, born John Charles Carter, was an American actor known for portraying historical figures. After a Broadway debut in Antony and Cleopatra , Heston made his Hollywood film debut in Dark City (1950). Some of his most famous movies include: * The Ten Commandments (1956) * Ben-Hur (1959), for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor * El Cid (1961) * Planet of the Apes (1968) * Soylent Green (1973) Heston also took on roles in The Greatest Show on Earth (1952), Touch of Evil (1958), The Agony and the Ecstasy (1965), and many more. He was president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1966 to 1971 and a vocal supporter of gun rights as president of the National Rifle Association from 1998 to 2003.

What role did Charlton Heston play in the movie 'Ben-Hur'?

Charlton Heston played Judah Ben-Hur, a young Jewish prince, in the 1959 film Ben-Hur . The film follows Ben-Hur's journey from betrayal and slavery to his triumph in a chariot race against his former friend Messala. Heston's performance earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor . Ben-Hur was a massive commercial success, garnering 11 Academy Awards, and solidified Heston's status as a major Hollywood star known for portraying historical figures.

How did Charlton Heston influence American cinema?

Charlton Heston significantly impacted American cinema through his commanding presence and portrayal of historical and literary figures. His early role in The Greatest Show on Earth (1952) caught the attention of Cecil B. DeMille, who then cast Heston as Moses in The Ten Commandments (1956), which became one of his most iconic roles. Heston solidified his status as a major star, securing his position in Hollywood after starring in Ben-Hur (1959), for which he won an Academy Award. He became known for playing larger-than-life characters in period dramas, such as El Cid (1961), Michelangelo in The Agony and the Ecstasy (1965), and John the Baptist in The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965). Heston also explored science fiction, starring in Planet of the Apes (1968), The Omega Man (1971), and Soylent Green (1973).

Did Charlton Heston have roles outside of acting, such as directing or political work?

Charlton Heston, born October 4, 1923, was an American actor celebrated for portraying historical figures. Beyond acting, Heston engaged in directing, political work, and held significant industry positions. Heston directed Antony and Cleopatra (1972) and Mother Lode (1982). He served as president of the Screen Actors Guild (1966-1971), and was chairman of the American Film Institute (1973-1983). A strong advocate for gun rights, Heston also served as president of the National Rifle Association (1998–2003).

How is Charlton Heston remembered today in film history and American culture?

Charlton Heston, known for his commanding presence and voice, is remembered as an iconic American actor who portrayed numerous historical figures and literary characters. His role as Moses in The Ten Commandments (1956) remains his most well-known. He further solidified his status as a major star with roles in Ben-Hur (1959), for which he won an Academy Award, El Cid (1961), and Planet of the Apes (1968). Beyond acting, Heston was president of the Screen Actors Guild and chairman of the American Film Institute. A strong advocate for gun rights, he also served as president of the National Rifle Association. Heston received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 1978 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2003.

Charlton Heston

Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Images

Orson Welles, Victor Millan, Joseph Calleia, and Charlton Heston stand together in a tense scene from the film noir Touch of Evil, with dramatic lighting and serious expressions.

Charlton Heston as Judah Ben-Hur, shirtless and grim-faced, rows alongside other enslaved men in the crowded hold of a Roman galley ship in the film Ben-Hur (1959).

Movie director William Wyler, right, stands with actors Charlton Heston, left, and Stephen Boyd, center, on the set of Ben-Hur, with a large arena and statue in the background.

Charlton Heston as El Cid in armor, holding a large sword upright with both hands, in a scene from the 1961 film El Cid.

Charlton Heston as Major Matt Lewis and David Niven as Sir Arthur Robertson talk while holding food in a scene from the film 55 Days at Peking.

Charlton Heston as Taylor faces Kim Hunter as Zira and Roddy McDowall as Cornelius, both in ape makeup and costumes, in a cave setting from Planet of the Apes (1968).

At a Glance

Charlton Heston summary

Quick Facts

Original name:: John Charles Carter

Born:: October 4, 1923, Evanston, Illinois, U.S.

Died:: April 5, 2008, Beverly Hills, California (aged 84)

Awards And Honors:: Presidential Medal of Freedom (2003); Kennedy Center Honors (1997); Academy Award (1960); Academy Award (1960): Actor in a Leading Role; Cecil B. DeMille Award (1967); Golden Globe Award (1962): World Film Favorites; Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award (1978); Presidential Medal of Freedom (2003)

Married To:: Lydia Clarke (married 1944)

Movies/Tv Shows (Acted In):: "Major Dundee" (1965); "Shirley Temple's Storybook" (1958); "Bad for Each Other" (1953); "The Far Horizons" (1955); "Hamlet" (1996); "The Buccaneer" (1958); "Tombstone" (1993); "Genghis Khan: The Story of a Lifetime" (2010); "The Agony and the Ecstasy" (1965); "The Outer Limits" (2000); "Peer Gynt" (1941); "Three Violent People" (1956); "The Two Ronnies" (1987); "Climax!" (1955–1957); "Soylent Green" (1973); "Any Given Sunday" (1999); "Julius Caesar" (1950); "The Lord Protector" (1996); "Alcoa Premiere" (1961); "Cats & Dogs" (2001); "Curtain Call" (1952); "The Philco Television Playhouse" (1950–1953); "The Savage" (1952); "The Ed Sullivan Show" (1960–1968); "Secret of the Incas" (1954); "Number One" (1969); "The Order" (2001); "Wayne's World 2" (1993); "Robert Montgomery Presents" (1952–1955); "Ruby Gentry" (1952); "Schlitz Playhouse of Stars" (1951–1957); "Counterpoint" (1967); "Ben-Hur" (1959); "Seaquest DSV" (1994); "Touch of Evil" (1958); "Gideon" (1998); "The Naked Jungle" (1954); "The Wreck of the Mary Deare" (1959); "The Hawaiians" (1970); "Arrowhead" (1953); "Medallion Theatre" (1953); "Planet of the Apes" (1968); "Alaska" (1996); "Suspense" (1949–1951); "The Big Country" (1958); "Solar Crisis" (1990); "Mother Lode" (1982); "The Great Battles of the Civil War" (1994); "Crossed Swords" (1977); "My Father" (2003); "Khartoum" (1966); "Will Penny" (1967); "Friends" (1998); "True Lies" (1994); "The Three Musketeers" (1973); "Skyjacked" (1972); "The Awakening" (1980); "Diamond Head" (1962); "Maugli" (1973); "Chiefs" (1983); "The President's Lady" (1953); "The Last Hard Men" (1976); "The Mountain Men" (1980); "Armageddon" (1998); "Midway" (1976); "The Clock" (1950); "The Four Musketeers" (1974); "Studio One" (1949–1952); "Antony and Cleopatra" (1972); "The Omega Man" (1971); "Lux Video Theatre" (1951); "Adventures from the Book of Virtues" (1998); "The Private War of Major Benson" (1955); "Dynasty" (1985); "Pony Express" (1953); "55 Days at Peking" (1963); "The Ten Commandments" (1956); "General Electric Theater" (1955); "Beneath the Planet of the Apes" (1970); "Gray Lady Down" (1978); "Two-Minute Warning" (1976); "Lucy Gallant" (1955); "Earthquake" (1974); "Hercules" (1997); "The War Lord" (1965); "Camino de Santiago" (1999); "The Greatest Story Ever Told" (1965); "In the Mouth of Madness" (1994); "Danger" (1954); "The Call of the Wild" (1972); "The Pigeon That Took Rome" (1962); "El Cid" (1961); "The Greatest Show on Earth" (1952); "The Bold and the Beautiful" (1993); "Playhouse 90" (1956–1958); "The Colbys" (1985–1987); "Airport 1975" (1974); "Dark City" (1950); "Julius Caesar" (1970); "Town & Country" (2001)

Charlton Heston

American actor

Also known as: John Charles Carter

Written and fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Last updated

Sep. 30, 2026 •History

Top Questions

Who was Charlton Heston?
Charlton Heston (1923–2008) was an American actor celebrated for his commanding presence and voice, often portraying historical and literary figures. His career took off after impressing Cecil B. DeMille, who cast him in The Greatest Show on Earth (1952). Heston became a major star after playing Moses in The Ten Commandments (1956).

Heston won the best actor award for Ben-Hur (1959), solidifying his status in Hollywood. He starred in El Cid (1961), The Agony and the Ecstasy (1965), and Planet of the Apes (1968). From 1966 to 1971 he was president of the Screen Actors Guild, and later was chairman of the American Film Institute (1973–83). Heston was also president of the National Rifle Association (1998–2003).
1 Britannica Source
1. Charlton Heston
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What are some famous movies Charlton Heston starred in?
Charlton Heston, born John Charles Carter, was an American actor known for portraying historical figures. After a Broadway debut in Antony and Cleopatra, Heston made his Hollywood film debut in Dark City (1950).

Some of his most famous movies include:
* The Ten Commandments (1956)
* Ben-Hur (1959), for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor
* El Cid (1961)
* Planet of the Apes (1968)
* Soylent Green (1973)

Heston also took on roles in The Greatest Show on Earth (1952), Touch of Evil (1958), The Agony and the Ecstasy (1965), and many more. He was president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1966 to 1971 and a vocal supporter of gun rights as president of the National Rifle Association from 1998 to 2003.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Charlton Heston
2. Charlton Heston: Facts & Related Content
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What role did Charlton Heston play in the movie 'Ben-Hur'?
Charlton Heston played Judah Ben-Hur, a young Jewish prince, in the 1959 film Ben-Hur. The film follows Ben-Hur's journey from betrayal and slavery to his triumph in a chariot race against his former friend Messala. Heston's performance earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor. Ben-Hur was a massive commercial success, garnering 11 Academy Awards, and solidified Heston's status as a major Hollywood star known for portraying historical figures.
3 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
How did Charlton Heston influence American cinema?
Charlton Heston significantly impacted American cinema through his commanding presence and portrayal of historical and literary figures. His early role in The Greatest Show on Earth (1952) caught the attention of Cecil B. DeMille, who then cast Heston as Moses in The Ten Commandments (1956), which became one of his most iconic roles.

Heston solidified his status as a major star, securing his position in Hollywood after starring in Ben-Hur (1959), for which he won an Academy Award. He became known for playing larger-than-life characters in period dramas, such as El Cid (1961), Michelangelo in The Agony and the Ecstasy (1965), and John the Baptist in The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965). Heston also explored science fiction, starring in Planet of the Apes (1968), The Omega Man (1971), and Soylent Green (1973).
3 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Did Charlton Heston have roles outside of acting, such as directing or political work?
Charlton Heston, born October 4, 1923, was an American actor celebrated for portraying historical figures. Beyond acting, Heston engaged in directing, political work, and held significant industry positions.

Heston directed Antony and Cleopatra (1972) and Mother Lode (1982). He served as president of the Screen Actors Guild (1966-1971), and was chairman of the American Film Institute (1973-1983). A strong advocate for gun rights, Heston also served as president of the National Rifle Association (1998–2003).
2 Britannica Sources
1. Charlton Heston
2. Charlton Heston: Facts & Related Content
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
How is Charlton Heston remembered today in film history and American culture?
Charlton Heston, known for his commanding presence and voice, is remembered as an iconic American actor who portrayed numerous historical figures and literary characters. His role as Moses in The Ten Commandments (1956) remains his most well-known. He further solidified his status as a major star with roles in Ben-Hur (1959), for which he won an Academy Award, El Cid (1961), and Planet of the Apes (1968).

Beyond acting, Heston was president of the Screen Actors Guild and chairman of the American Film Institute. A strong advocate for gun rights, he also served as president of the National Rifle Association. Heston received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 1978 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2003.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Charlton Heston
2. Charlton Heston: Facts & Related Content
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Charlton Heston (born October 4, 1923, Evanston, Illinois, U.S.—died April 5, 2008, Beverly Hills, California) was an American actor who was known for his chiseled features and compelling speaking voice and for his numerous roles as historical figures and famous literary characters.

Heston decided to become an actor after impulsively auditioning for a high-school play. His stage experience in high school resulted in a scholarship to Northwestern University. In 1946 he moved to New York City, and he made his Broadway debut in Antony and Cleopatra (1947). Soon thereafter he landed roles in live television productions. He first appeared in a Hollywood film in a starring role in William Dieterle’s Dark City (1950). Although he was still relatively unknown, his performance impressed director Cecil B. DeMille, who cast him as the circus manager in The Greatest Show on Earth (1952). The film won the Oscar for best picture, and Heston received good notices for his performance. He later starred as U.S. Pres. Andrew Jackson in The President’s Lady (1953), the first of many historical roles he would undertake.

scene from Touch of Evil — scene from *Touch of Evil*(From left to right) Orson Welles, Victor Millan, Joseph Calleia, and Charlton Heston in *Touch of Evil* (1958), written and directed by Welles.

filming of Ben-Hur — filming of *Ben-Hur*(From left to right, foreground) Charlton Heston, Stephen Boyd, and William Wyler during the filming of *Ben-Hur* (1959).

Charlton Heston in El Cid — Charlton Heston in *El Cid*Charlton Heston in *El Cid* (1961), directed by Anthony Mann.

Charlton Heston and David Niven in 55 Days at Peking — Charlton Heston and David Niven in *55 Days at Peking*Charlton Heston (left) and David Niven in *55 Days at Peking* (1963), directed by Nicholas Ray.

In 1956 Heston played the role for which he would remain best known, that of Moses in DeMille’s The Ten Commandments. Established as a major star, Heston worked for several other noted directors, including Orson Welles in Touch of Evil (1958) and William Wyler in Ben-Hur (1959). Ben-Hur won 11 Academy Awards, including a best actor award for Heston; the film secured his position as the premiere historical character actor in Hollywood. The movies that followed placed him in several larger-than-life roles: the eponymous Spanish warrior in El Cid (1961), Michelangelo in The Agony and the Ecstasy (1965), and John the Baptist in The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965). Heston also played a U.S. military officer in 55 Days at Peking (1963), about the Boxer Rebellion.

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Publicity still with Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman from the motion picture film "Casablanca" (1942); directed by Michael Curtiz. (cinema, movies)

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Kim Hunter, Roddy McDowall, and Charlton Heston in Planet of the Apes — Kim Hunter, Roddy McDowall, and Charlton Heston in *Planet of the Apes*(From left to right) Kim Hunter, Roddy McDowall, and Charlton Heston in *Planet of the Apes* (1968), directed by Franklin J. Schaffner.

In 1968 Heston starred in the western Will Penny, a role that he counted among his favorites, and in Planet of the Apes, the first in a short series of science-fiction films for the actor. He had a minor role in the sequel Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970) and later starred in the cult favorites The Omega Man (1971) and Soylent Green (1973). Despite such excursions into eclectic fare, however, Heston continued to be known for his work in period dramas. He twice played Mark Antony, in Julius Caesar (1970) and in Antony and Cleopatra (1973), which he also directed.

Heston’s other memorable roles include Jack London’s hero John Thornton in The Call of the Wild (1972) and Cardinal Richelieu in The Three Musketeers (1973) and its sequel The Four Musketeers (1974). He also starred in the disaster movies Skyjacked (1972), Airport 1975 (1974), and Earthquake (1974). In addition, he appeared in a number of television movies, notably portraying Sir Thomas More in A Man for All Seasons (1988), Long John Silver in Treasure Island (1990), Sherlock Holmes in The Crucifer of Blood (1991), and Brigham Young in The Avenging Angel (1995). His last acting role was in the film drama Genghis Kahn: The Story of a Lifetime (2010).

Heston was involved in politics, both in and out of Hollywood. From 1966 to 1971 he was president of the Screen Actors Guild, and he later was chairman of the American Film Institute (1973–83). A vocal supporter of gun rights, he served as president of the National Rifle Association (1998–2003). Heston also was the recipient of various honors, including the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award (1978) from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2003). In addition, he was named a Kennedy Center honoree in 1997. His various books include the autobiography In the Arena (1995).

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.

Charlton Heston

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