Charlton Heston was an iconic actor, with a voice rivaled by Alex Hailey.  He was the star of many of Hollywood’s most memorable films, from the Ten Commandments, and Ben Hur (which endeared him in the American Heartland), to Planet of the Apes (the original, not the schlock that followed).

A statement from the family is available here.

The BBC (curiously) seems to have the best, and most respectful obituary of this screen legend:

Charlton Heston’s life story reads like a film script. From the backwoods of Michigan, he became one of the world’s most famous faces, a high-profile campaigner for Civil Rights and an unapologetic president of America’s National Rifle Association.

Of course, while the Hate-mongers and smear merchants to the left of the political spectrum in the US will never forgive Heston for his term as president of the NRA, this WWII Army Air Force veteran was a very public and vocal supporter for Civil Rights, at a time when most Democrats (including Al Gore’s father) were opposed.

In New York City on January 15, Charlton Heston received the “2001 Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Award” from the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), a leading U.S. civil rights organization. CORE chairman Roy Innis praised Heston: “He’s been a civil rights fighter most of his career.” Yoko Ono, a member of the Awards Committee, said: “I respect Mr. Heston for lending his name to the cause of racial equality.” (Chuck led the Arts Contingent at the 1963 March on Washington, where Dr. King gave his “I Have a Dream” speech……

 Heston was, throughout his life, and in the end, an American Original.  He was one of the best of us.