---
name: "Charlton Heston"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/charlton-heston"
fi1m_id: "charlton-heston"
imdb_id: "nm0000032"
tmdb_id: 10017
wikidata_id: "Q80739"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "4 October 1923"
died: "5 April 2008"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 11
average_fi1m_score: 72
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 9
updated: "2026-09-25T08:12:13.162088+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Charlton Heston

## Identity

Charlton Heston

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/charlton-heston
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** charlton-heston
- **IMDb ID:** nm0000032
- **TMDB ID:** 10017
- **Wikidata ID:** Q80739
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlton_Heston, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q80739, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000032/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/10017

Actor. Born 4 October 1923 in Wilmette, Illinois, USA. Died 5 April 2008.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 4 October 1923, Wilmette, Illinois, USA
- **Died:** 5 April 2008
- **Active:** 1952–1997
- **Also known as:** 찰톤 헤스톤, John Charles Carter, چارلتون هستون
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 11: 9 acting, 2 other
- **Frequently works with:** [Arthur P. Jacobs](https://film.one/person/arthur-p-jacobs.md), [Cecil B. DeMille](https://film.one/person/cecil-b-demille.md), [Fredric M. Frank](https://film.one/person/fredric-m-frank.md), [Kim Hunter](https://film.one/person/kim-hunter.md), [Maurice Evans](https://film.one/person/maurice-evans.md)
- **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar (1 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 72, as actor, over 9 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1950s 72 (4), 1960s 84 (1), 1970s 50 (1), 1990s 75 (3), 2000s 56 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 72 to 70 across 9 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 4 of 7 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 6, Adventure 4, Action 2, History 2, Romance 2, Science Fiction 2
- **Screen time:** 23 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,013m across 9 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlton_Heston, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q80739, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000032/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/10017

## Streaming the US now

- **Tubi:** [*Touch of Evil*](https://film.one/film/touch-of-evil.md) (88), [*Ben-Hur*](https://film.one/film/ben-hur.md) (76)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*Bowling for Columbine*](https://film.one/film/bowling-for-columbine.md) (72)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The Ten Commandments*](https://film.one/film/the-ten-commandments.md) (67)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Charlton Heston

> Charlton Heston brings authority to heroic parts, though his formal delivery can make feelings sound rehearsed. We value him most when that reserve comes under pressure, as it does opposite Stephen Boyd in *Ben-Hur*.

In the reunion between Charlton Heston's Judah Ben-Hur and Stephen Boyd's Messala in *Ben-Hur* (1959), Heston's reserve gives Boyd something to work against. Their attention to each other carries an attraction the film does not need to spell out. We were moved by the discomfort of that meeting, because maintaining his formality seems to cost Heston's character something. William Wyler gives him more to do here than look resolute. The stiffness that can hinder his delivery becomes a reason to keep watching his face.

Cecil B. DeMille gave him his first major film break in *The Greatest Show on Earth* (1952), then cast him as Moses in *The Ten Commandments* (1956). Heston's resonant voice and physical stature were well suited to men expected to speak with authority. Historical leads continued with Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar in *El Cid* (1961). Playing George Taylor in *Planet of the Apes* (1968) brought a fresh direction in science fiction after that run of grand historical parts.

*Ben-Hur* is also a useful warning against giving him too much solemn dialogue. When Judah has to announce a feeling, the formality can look stiff, and the repeated moral lessons are no easier to accept for being delivered so seriously. The chariot race earns its place in the long evening; the speeches too often seem to delay the next useful exchange. Boyd supplies emotional pressure that the grand declarations cannot. We rate the film as a good historical adventure, with more ceremony than its actors need.

His later work included character parts and narration, with *True Lies* (1994) finding him in James Cameron's spy comedy as Spencer Trilby. For a first encounter, we would choose *Ben-Hur*, provided a long and occasionally ponderous historical adventure appeals. Pay particular attention to the scenes with Boyd; Heston is worth watching when someone makes it difficult for him to remain composed.

## Biography

Charlton Heston was an American actor. Born John Charles Carter on 4 October 1923, he died on 5 April 2008. He studied drama at Northwestern University and began his career on stage and in live television before moving into film.

Heston appeared in numerous films, including *The Ten Commandments* (1956) as Moses, *Ben-Hur* (1959) as Judah Ben-Hur, for which he received the Academy Award for Best Actor, *Planet of the Apes* (1968) as George Taylor, *Tombstone* (1993) as Henry Hooker, *True Lies* (1994) as Spencer Trilby, and *In the Mouth of Madness* (1995) as Jackson Harglow. He also provided narration for *Hercules* (1997) and *Armageddon* (1998).

He served as president of the Screen Actors Guild in the 1960s and supported civil rights causes during that decade. Later he was president of the National Rifle Association from 1998 to 2003. He was married to actress Lydia Clarke from 1944 until his death.

*Sources: imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org, britannica.com, encyclopedia.com.*

## On Fi1m (11)

### Performed in (9) — the average rests on these

- *Hercules* (1997), Fi1m 75, as Narrator (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/hercules.md)
- *Hamlet* (1996), Fi1m 81, as Player King — [page](https://film.one/film/hamlet.md)
- *True Lies* (1994), Fi1m 68, as Spencer Trilby — [page](https://film.one/film/true-lies.md)
- *Beneath the Planet of the Apes* (1970), Fi1m 50, as Taylor — [page](https://film.one/film/beneath-the-planet-of-the-apes.md)
- *Planet of the Apes* (1968), Fi1m 84, as George Taylor — [page](https://film.one/film/planet-of-the-apes.md)
- *Ben-Hur* (1959), Fi1m 76, as Judah Ben-Hur — [page](https://film.one/film/ben-hur.md)
- *Touch of Evil* (1958), Fi1m 88, as Ramon Miguel Vargas — [page](https://film.one/film/touch-of-evil.md)
- *The Ten Commandments* (1956), Fi1m 67, as Moses — [page](https://film.one/film/the-ten-commandments.md)
- *The Greatest Show on Earth* (1952), Fi1m 56, as Brad Braden — [page](https://film.one/film/the-greatest-show-on-earth.md)

### Also credited (2) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *Bowling for Columbine* (2002), Fi1m 72, as Self - NRA President — [page](https://film.one/film/bowling-for-columbine.md)
- *Planet of the Apes* (2001), Fi1m 40, as Zaius (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/planet-of-the-apes-2001.md)

## Complete filmography (139)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Airports* (2025), Actor
- *Emergency: Donald Trump’s "Touch of Evil"* (2019), as (archive footage)
- *2Everything2Terrible2: Tokyo Drift* (2010), as (archive footage)
- *Hollywood sul Tevere* (2009), Actor
- *Remembering Reagan at His Ranch* (2004), as Host
- *My Father* (2003), as Josef Mengele
- *Ben Hur* (2003), as Ben Hur (voice)
- *Lasting Love* (2003), Actor
- *The Face of Evil: Reinhard Heydrich* (2002), as Narrator (voice)
- *Planet of the Apes* (2001), as Zaius (uncredited) — Fi1m 40, [page](https://film.one/film/planet-of-the-apes-2001.md)
- *Cats & Dogs* (2001), as The Mastiff (voice)
- *The Order* (2001), as Professor Finley
- *Town & Country* (2001), as Mr. Clayborne
- *The Weber Show* (2000), series, as Charlton Heston
- *Any Given Sunday* (1999), as AFFA Football Commissioner
- *Camino de Santiago* (1999), series, as Professor Marcelo Rinaldi
- *Gideon* (1998), as Addison Sinclair
- *Armageddon* (1998), as Narration (voice) — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/armageddon.md)
- *Hercules* (1997), as Narrator (voice) — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/hercules.md)
- *Hamlet* (1996), as Player King — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/hamlet.md)
- *Alaska* (1996), as Perry
- *Andersonville Diaries* (1996), as Narrator
- *The Lord Protector* (1996), as Narrator (voice)
- *Texas* (1995), as Narrator
- *Eco-Challenge* (1995), series, Actor
- *The Outer Limits* (1995), series, as Chief Justice Haden Wainwright
- *In the Mouth of Madness* (1995), as Jackson Harglow
- *The Avenging Angel* (1995), as Brigham Young
- *Friends* (1994), series, as Charlton Heston — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/friends.md)
- *True Lies* (1994), as Spencer Trilby — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/true-lies.md)
- *Tombstone* (1993), as Henry Hooker
- *Wayne's World 2* (1993), as Good Actor
- *The Mystery of the Sphinx* (1993), as Narrator
- *seaQuest DSV* (1993), series, as Abalon
- *Noël* (1992), as Narrator
- *Solar Crisis* (1992), as Adm. "Skeet" Kelso
- *Crash Landing: The Rescue of Flight 232* (1992), as Captain Al Haynes
- *Symphony for the Spire* (1992), Actor
- *Noel's House Party* (1991), series, as Star guest
- *The Crucifer of Blood* (1991), as Sherlock Holmes
- *Cults: Saying No Under Pressure* (1991), as Narrator
- *Air Force One: The Planes and the Presidents* (1991), as Host and Narrator
- *Almost an Angel* (1990), as God
- *The Little Kidnappers* (1990), as James MacKenzie
- *Treasure Island* (1990), as Long John Silver
- *Original Sin* (1989), as Louis Mancini
- *Call from Space* (1989), as Alien (voice)
- *A Man for All Seasons* (1988), as Sir Thomas More · Director
- *Korea: The Unknown War* (1988), series, as General Douglas MacArthur (voice)
- *Proud Men* (1987), as Charley MacLeod Sr.
- *Eclipse of Reason* (1987), as Narrator
- *An All-Star Celebration Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.* (1986), Actor
- *The Colbys* (1985), series, as Jason Colby
- *Nairobi Affair* (1984), as Lee Cahill
- *Chiefs* (1983), series, as Hugh Holmes
- *Mother Lode* (1982), as Silas McGee / Ian McGee · Director
- *Dynasty* (1981), series, as Jason Colby
- *The Awakening* (1980), as Matthew Corbeck
- *The Mountain Men* (1980), as Bill Tyler
- *Gray Lady Down* (1978), as Captain Paul Blanchard
- *Energy: A National Issue* (1977), as Narrator (voice)
- *The Prince and the Pauper* (1977), as Henry VIII
- *Two-Minute Warning* (1976), as Capt. Peter Holly
- *America at the Movies* (1976), as Narrator
- *Midway* (1976), as Capt. Matthew Garth
- *The Last Hard Men* (1976), as Sam Burgade
- *Earthquake* (1974), as Stewart Graff
- *The Four Musketeers* (1974), as Cardinal Richelieu
- *Airport 1975* (1974), as Alan Murdock
- *The Three Musketeers* (1973), as Cardinal Richelieu
- *Soylent Green* (1973), as Detective Robert Thorn
- *The Call of the Wild* (1972), as John Thornton
- *Skyjacked* (1972), as Capt. Henry 'Hank' O'Hara
- *Antony and Cleopatra* (1972), as Marc Antony · Director, Screenplay
- *The Special London Bridge Special* (1972), as Tennis Player
- *Vietnam! Vietnam!* (1971), as Narrator (voice)
- *The Omega Man* (1971), as Robert Neville
- *The Hawaiians* (1970), as Whip Hoxworth
- *Julius Caesar* (1970), as Marc Antony
- *Beneath the Planet of the Apes* (1970), as Taylor — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/film/beneath-the-planet-of-the-apes.md)
- *Number One* (1969), as Ron "Cat" Catlan
- *Planet of the Apes* (1968), as George Taylor — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/planet-of-the-apes.md)
- *Elizabeth the Queen* (1968), as Lord Essex
- *Counterpoint* (1967), as Lionel Evans
- *Will Penny* (1967), as Will Penny
- *While I Run This Race* (1967), as Narrator
- *Khartoum* (1966), as Gen. Charles 'Chinese' Gordon
- *Planet of the Apes Test Reel* (1966), as Thomas
- *The War Lord* (1965), as Chrysagon
- *Night of the Dragon* (1965), as Narrator
- *The Agony and the Ecstasy* (1965), as Michelangelo
- *Uncertain Verification* (1965), as (archive footage)
- *The Greatest Story Ever Told* (1965), as John the Baptist
- *Major Dundee* (1965), as Major Amos Charles Dundee
- *F.D.R.* (1965), series, as Franklin Delano Roosevelt
- *The Patriots* (1963), as Thomas Jefferson
- *The Five Cities of June* (1963), as Narrator
- *55 Days at Peking* (1963), as Maj. Matt Lewis
- *Diamond Head* (1962), as Richard 'King' Howland
- *The Pigeon That Took Rome* (1962), as Captain Paul MacDougall / Benny the Snatch / Narrator
- *El Cid* (1961), as El Cid Rodrigo de Vivar
- *Kraft Mystery Theatre* (1961), series, as Paul Malone (archive footage)
- *Ben-Hur* (1959), as Judah Ben-Hur — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/ben-hur.md)
- *The Wreck of the Mary Deare* (1959), as John Sands
- *The Buccaneer* (1958), as Gen. Andrew Jackson
- *The Big Country* (1958), as Steve Leech
- *Touch of Evil* (1958), as Ramon Miguel Vargas — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/touch-of-evil.md)
- *Shirley Temple's Storybook* (1958), series, as Beast
- *Three Violent People* (1956), as Colt Saunders
- *The Ten Commandments* (1956), as Moses — Fi1m 67, [page](https://film.one/film/the-ten-commandments.md)
- *Playhouse 90* (1956), series, as Col. Jesse Price
- *Forbidden Area* (1956), as Col. Jesse Price
- *Lucy Gallant* (1955), as Casey Cole
- *The Private War of Major Benson* (1955), as Maj. Bernard R. 'Barney' Benson
- *The Far Horizons* (1955), as Lt. William Clark
- *Climax!* (1954), series, as Lt. Paul Peterson, Chipman
- *Secret of the Incas* (1954), as Harry Steel
- *The Naked Jungle* (1954), as Christopher Leiningen
- *Bad for Each Other* (1953), as Dr. Tom Owen
- *Arrowhead* (1953), as Ed Bannon
- *Pony Express* (1953), as Captain William Frank 'Buffalo Bill' Cody
- *The President's Lady* (1953), as Andrew Jackson
- *General Electric Theater* (1953), series, as Tim
- *Ruby Gentry* (1952), as Boake Tackman
- *The Savage* (1952), as James 'Jim' Aherne Jr. / War Bonnet
- *The Greatest Show on Earth* (1952), as Brad Braden — Fi1m 56, [page](https://film.one/film/the-greatest-show-on-earth.md)
- *Hallmark Hall of Fame* (1951), series, as Thomas Jefferson, Robert Devereaux, Earl of Essex
- *A Bolt of Lightning* (1951), as James Otis
- *Schlitz Playhouse of Stars* (1951), series, Actor
- *Studio One: Wuthering Heights* (1950), as Heathcliff
- *Dark City* (1950), as Danny Haley
- *The Taming of the Shrew* (1950), as Petruchio
- *Julius Caesar* (1950), as Mark Antony
- *Robert Montgomery Presents* (1950), series, as Cashel Bryon, Peter Handley, Melody Jones
- *Jane Eyre* (1949), as Edward Rochester
- *Suspense* (1949), series, Actor
- *Studio One* (1948), series, as Philip Carey, Edward Rochester, Col. / Dr. Michael Knowle, Petruchio, Heathcliff, Mitch Henderson, Macbeth, James Otis, Merton Densher, Commander Schneider
- *The Philco Television Playhouse* (1948), series, Actor
- *Peer Gynt* (1941), as Peer Gynt

## Gallery

- ![Charlton Heston](https://film.one/media/person/84948/gallery-955912cd3bb6.jpg) Charlton Heston — 20th Century Fox studios, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dc/Charlton_Heston_-_1953.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![The original finding aid described this photograph as: Base: Naval Station, Norfolk State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Camera Op](https://film.one/media/person/84948/gallery-4e03eee60918.jpg) The original finding aid described this photograph as: Base: Naval Station, Norfolk State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Camera Op — Department of Defense. American Forces Information Service. Defense Visual Information Center. 1994, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/22/Actor_Charlton_Heston_delivers_the_principal_address_during_the_commissioning_of_the_nuclear-powered_attack_submarine_USS_CHICAGO_%28SSN_721%29_-_DPLA_-_a41e30017b0d7dc6f4305f36a076af85.jpeg/1280px-thumbnail.jpeg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Belair Drive-In theater advertisement for the American epic Western film The Big Country (1958). From the 5 December 1958 San Bernardino Sun.](https://film.one/media/person/84948/gallery-218e7ab58718.jpg) Belair Drive-In theater advertisement for the American epic Western film The Big Country (1958). From the 5 December 1958 San Bernardino Sun. — United Artists, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1e/Belair_Drive-in_Ad_-_5_December_1958%2C_Fontana%2C_CA.jpg/1280px-Belair_Drive-in_Ad_-_5_December_1958%2C_Fontana%2C_CA.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Bota firmada por el actor norteamericano Charlton Heston en 1975. (2023)](https://film.one/media/person/84948/gallery-1e08571facb7.jpg) Bota firmada por el actor norteamericano Charlton Heston en 1975. (2023) — Fortun2023, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c5/Bota_Charlton_Heston._Bodega_el_Molino._Jerez.jpg/1280px-Bota_Charlton_Heston._Bodega_el_Molino._Jerez.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Charlton Heston](https://film.one/media/person/84948/gallery-0312dbc6b3c5.jpg) Charlton Heston — Image via TMDB
- ![Charlton Heston](https://film.one/media/person/84948/gallery-eb37de91de18.jpg) Charlton Heston — Image via TMDB
- ![Charlton Heston](https://film.one/media/person/84948/gallery-552fc37b8295.jpg) Charlton Heston — Image via TMDB
- ![I served on the Board of Directors of the Producers Guild of America and always took pictures of the Stars. (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/84948/gallery-d4eb219bd090.jpg) I served on the Board of Directors of the Producers Guild of America and always took pictures of the Stars. (2014) — TwinsofSedona, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/db/Charleton_Heston_%26_Terrie_Frankel_%26_Leonard_Stern_at_the_Producers_Guild_of_America_Awards.jpg/1280px-Charleton_Heston_%26_Terrie_Frankel_%26_Leonard_Stern_at_the_Producers_Guild_of_America_Awards.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![I took this photo of Charlton Heston and Michael Douglas at the Producers Guild of America Awards. I served on the Board of Directors of the PGA. (2016)](https://film.one/media/person/84948/gallery-ffc752ff99bb.jpg) I took this photo of Charlton Heston and Michael Douglas at the Producers Guild of America Awards. I served on the Board of Directors of the PGA. (2016) — TwinsofSedona, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/58/Charlton_Heston_%26_Michael_Douglas_at_Producers_Guild_of_America_Awards.jpg/1280px-Charlton_Heston_%26_Michael_Douglas_at_Producers_Guild_of_America_Awards.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Charlton Heston](https://film.one/media/person/84948/gallery-aea61b776a9b.jpg) Charlton Heston — Image via TMDB
- ![Charlton Heston](https://film.one/media/person/84948/gallery-b85b870e8ea1.jpg) Charlton Heston — Image via TMDB
- ![Charlton Heston](https://film.one/media/person/84948/gallery-27e98688d052.jpg) Charlton Heston — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 1 won

- 1960: Best Actor (won), for *Ben-Hur*

### Golden Globes — 1 won

- 1966: Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award (won)

### Other awards — 4 won

- Presidential Medal of Freedom 2003: Presidential Medal of Freedom (won)
- Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres 1997: Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres (won)
- Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award 1978: Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award (won)
- Theatre World Award 1950: Theatre World Award (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/charlton-heston