He was born John Charles Carter on October 4, 1924 to Lila Charlton and adopted by his stepfather, Chester Heston. He’s had a fairly normal mid-Western childhood; being active in sports and other extra curricular activities, including dabbling in politics which would later help him in future endeavors in his adult life.

He was also interested in acting and the theatre when he attended Northwestern University and had dreams of marrying his college sweetheart and fellow thespian, Lydia Clarke and going off to New York where they could pursue their passion for their craft, especially Shakespeare.

He made a name change...

In the year 2004, dual milestones arrived for the man who became known to the public as Charlton Heston... he’s lived fourscore years (80) and since March 17^th, has been married to the same woman for six decades (or threescore years); an unheard of achievement in the fantasy world of Hollywood.

I first met the well chiseled actor with the distinctive, booming voice in the Spring of 2000 at a meet and greet, autograph celebrity show. Since I was a boy, I had usually been my mother’s date for the movies and theatre as my father was not into that particular form of entertainment unless there was a James Bond double billing at the local drive-in. Mom loved Paul Newman for his blue eyes and whimsical ways (years later he would become one of my teachers at The Actor’s Studio), and Charlton Heston for his style, strength and grace. Whenever there was a film by one of these two favorites, you could be sure mom would be in attendance and she didn’t like to go alone, thus...

My best movie memory was about 1972 when the local cinema held a special Charlton Heston two-for-the-price-of-one double billing of Planet of the Apes and Beneath the Planet of the Apes. Mom got twice as much Chuck for the price and as a 12-year-old Ape crazy boy, I got a double dose treat just for being her date!!!

Flash forward to the new millennia and here I was just inches away from Moses, Ben-Hur, El Cid, Michelangelo, Colonel Taylor, and a host of other characters and memories, ready to have the various 8x10s autographed by the man who made these characters come to life on the silver screen....

"Excuse me," said an elderly gentleman, "but you need to go to the end of the line."

"Isn’t this it," I asked in innocent ignorance.

"No," he smiled, "it’s out there." He pointed to a line of people in back of him that ended not at the inside back wall, but through the double doors, outside to the veranda, down the walkway and around the corner to the point I gave up looking somewhere within the parking lot limits.

I was doomed. Forget any chance of those autographs now.

I stood near the side of the table and watched the proceedings as a couple of armed local sheriff’s deputies flanked the legend and (then) current president of the National Rifle Association, as he autographed one item after another; staff members moving the crowd along at a brisk pace.

Usually at these celebrity autograph sessions, the performers charge about $20 per 8x10 autograph ($10 if you bring your own 8x10) with the popular ones collecting several hundred or even thousands of dollars over a weekend haul. I’ve always avoided these shows because I don’t charge for my autograph or photo. They’re all bought and paid for by me. I figure it’s just one of the prices of fame, although lately I’ve been able to learn from others, such as my friend Donny Osmond who only charges postage for his autograph 8x10s on his website, and Chuck (Heston likes to be called this, although I have a hard time doing so out of respect) who at this show was donating all funds collected by his appellations to the Actor’s Retirement Home. Being a big charity giver myself to those causes that are dear to my heart, this idea appeals to me, and so I may do a similar thing in future autograph sessions.

After watching and observing, and trying to figure out how I could get my pics signed, a female staffer nearby gave a friendly smile and suggested I send the photos to Mr Heston at his home with a polite cover letter asking if he would be kind enough to sign them for me. This seemed like the best idea and I knew from the past that Charlton Heston’s home address was public information; that any library in the country had it on file. Before leaving, I did have the chance to shake his hand and tell him how much I have enjoyed his work over the years, as one actor to another. That seemed to put a smile on his face.

Within a couple of weeks, I prepared the package of seven 8x10 photos; both black & white and color of my favorite Charlton Heston films, only missing one that I was having difficulty in finding... El Cid.

I wrote a polite letter, saying how much I had enjoyed these films on an annual basis (my movie collection is vast), and even mentioning, off the cuff, that I couldn’t find an 8x10 from El Cid. I spoke about my mother, and how, through her, I had come to appreciate his films and had entered acting as a profession myself, even making it to Broadway. Heston seemed like a guy who had his feet planted firmly on the ground and would genuinely love to hear from his fans.

I was right when about five days later I received not my seven photos back, but nine 8x10s, all signed in a bold script. Aside from the original seven photos sent, Chuck had included the one I was missing from El Cid and thoughtfully, a recent head and shoulders shot of him for my mother.

Is this a classy guy or what?...

Since that Spring day over four years ago, Chuck (yeah, I still call him Mr Heston, but writing this entry and talking about him, he’s known as Chuck) and I have kept up a correspondence. Whenever I write, he usually responds within five days, always personally signing each and every letter to me (and that has created quite some talk around the coffee shop with some of my neighbors actually asking if I’d be generous enough to let them have one of those letters as a keepsake. Yeah, right. What do you think my answer was to them?).

Two years ago at this time, Chuck made the public announcement that he was in the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s. Although it was a shock to many, he came across as he did in the characters that he has portrayed throughout his film career... strong and courageous with an inner strength and peace, and the will to survive against all odds.

Many fans wrote to him expressing their love and appreciation for all the good memories they’ve had watching his films, and he was touched by the outpouring. And as he celebrated one milestone earlier this year, so shall he look forward to another one this coming October 4^th, and it would be a great gift if those of us who have grown up on his films could send him a letter or a card expressing our love and appreciation for all that he has given us while he can still appreciate this act of charity.

And so, included in this piece is Chuck’s address. As it is public domain, I’m not leaking any vital information that would disrupt National security. It’s mainly for you, the reader, to think about using to write a letter of thanks or send a card of birthday greetings.

Send your love and appreciation to...

Mr Charlton Heston

2859 Coldwater Canyon

Beverly Hills California 90210

 

 

He will be greatly pleased to hear from his fans and to know that his life had meaning. Would to God we could all have a rich and fulfilling life as Charlton Heston has had thus far.