Remembering Charlton Heston: The Man Behind the Monumental Roles
If you've ever watched Charlton Heston on screen, chances are you've been in awe of his larger-than-life presence. But did you know that the man who brought Moses and Ben-Hur to life was just as remarkable off-screen as he was on? His son, Fraser Heston, shared some heartwarming memories with Closer Weekly, giving us a glimpse into the life of this legendary actor. Growing up, Fraser recalls thinking his dad was a professional charioteer—talk about setting the bar high! “In Rome, while filming Ben-Hur, Dad would come home in costume and bring me a big sack of sand from the arena where they filmed the famous chariot race,” Fraser reminisces. “He'd say, ‘Son, this isn’t just any sand. This is MGM sand!’”
A Warm and Devoted Family Man
While the world saw Charlton Heston as a towering figure on screen, at home, he was a loving and approachable family man. The star of The Ten Commandments was deeply committed to his family, sharing 64 incredible years of marriage with his beloved wife, Lydia. What's even more impressive is how he managed to juggle his demanding career, activism, and family life with such grace. “A lot of people think of him as this overly conservative, rigid, Old Testament guy,” Fraser explains. “But that wasn’t him at all. He was loving, engaging, and had a great sense of humor.”
Charlton Heston: A Hero in Every Sense of the Word
For those who knew him best, Charlton's softer side was nothing short of heroic. “He was incredibly patient as a dad,” Fraser fondly remembers. His daughter, Holly Heston, adds, “Dad believed in quality time. When he was with you, you had his full attention.” Both Fraser and Holly knew their father adored their mother. “They met in college and fell in love,” Fraser shares. “Even during World War II, when Dad served as an aerial gunner, Mom was the only woman he ever loved.” Toward the end of his life, Charlton summed up their bond perfectly: “I couldn’t be me without her.”
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Standing Up for What He Believed In
Charlton Heston wasn’t just a star on the silver screen; he was also a man of principle who stood up for what he believed in, even when it wasn’t the popular choice. “He marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial,” Fraser reveals. “Back then, taking a stand for civil rights wasn’t always easy, but Dad knew it was the right thing to do.”
Charlton Heston: Courage and Conviction
Charlton wasn’t afraid to stand up for his beliefs, even if it meant going against the grain. Whether it was supporting the National Endowment for the Arts, which sometimes put him at odds with his friend President Ronald Reagan, or serving as a five-time president of the NRA, he faced criticism head-on. “I wish for you the courage to be unpopular,” he once said. “Courage is history’s true currency.”
A Heart for Service
Despite his fame, Charlton Heston never shied away from public service. Fraser recalls, “He did three tours in Vietnam to visit frontline troops and then called all their parents, wives, and girlfriends when he got home. You’d think serving in World War II would’ve been enough, but Dad always saw it differently.” Instead of resting on his laurels, the actor, who famously said, “Celebrity is a corrosive condition for the soul,” dedicated himself to helping others.
Facing Challenges with Dignity
Even in the face of adversity, Charlton Heston showed remarkable courage. When he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and passed away at 84 in 2008, he faced his illness with grace and dignity. “He really felt he had lived a rich and fulfilling life,” Holly tells Closer. “There were no empty buckets on his bucket list.”
— Reporting by Lisa Chambers
For more on this story, pick up the latest issue of Closer magazine, on newsstands now.
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