Charlton Heston (born October 4, 1923, in Wilmette, Illinois, U.S. – died April 5, 2008) was an American actor and activist. He studied drama at Northwestern University and served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War Ⅱ. Early work in theater, radio, and television helped launch a distinguished screen career.
He gained worldwide fame through epic films such as The Ten Commandments, Ben-Hur, El Cid, and Planet of the Apes. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for Ben-Hur, one of cinema’s most celebrated historical epics. Known for commanding presence and heroic roles, he became one of Hollywood’s defining leading men.
He remained active in film, television, and public life for decades, serving as president of the Screen Actors Guild and later the National Rifle Association. His performances in epic and science-fiction classics left a lasting mark on popular culture. With an influential career spanning more than fifty years, he remains a legendary figure in film history.