Charlton Heston Dead

Guide Note:

Charlton Heston passed away on Saturday, April 5, 2008 at the age of 84. He was at home in Beverly Hills with his wife Lydia by his side. The cause of death is not yet known. In 2002, he revealed that he had symptoms indicating Alzheimer's Disease and said, "I must reconcile courage and surrender in equal measure."

A private family memorial will be held. The family has asked in lieu of flowers, to make donations to the Motion Picture and Television Fund.

Academy Award winning actor Charlton Heston starred in several films including The Ten Commandments and Planet of the Apes. Heston also served as the President of the National Rifle Association.

Fast Facts:

1. Birth name: John Charles Carter
2. Born: October 4, 1923
3. Birthplace: Evanston, Illinois
4. Died: April 5, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California
5. Survived by his wife, two children and three grandchildren
6. Former President of the National Rifle Association
7. Received Kennedy Center Honors in 1997
8. Won only Academy Award for Ben-Hur

Quotes:

• "I've played three presidents, three saints and two geniuses - and that's probably enough for any man."

• "It's been quite a ride. I loved every minute of it."

• "I'm enormously impressed, ... Indeed, I'm overwhelmed. I hardly know how to go on from here, and for an actor to not know how to go on from someplace is unbelievable."

• "You can spend a lifetime, and, if you're honest with yourself, never once was your work perfect."