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Charlton Heston

Acting Born Oct 4, 1923 Died Apr 5, 2008 Wilmette, Illinois, USA 274 credits

Biography

Charlton Heston was an American actor. He was born on October 4, 1923, in Wilmette, Illinois, USA. Heston studied drama at Northwestern University. He began his career on stage and in live television before transitioning to film. He gained major attention in Cecil B. DeMille's The Greatest Show on Earth. Heston became an international star with his performances in The Ten Commandments and Ben-Hur. He went on to headline a wide range of big-budget films. Heston was known for his towering screen presence. He had a long and successful acting career with 252 known credits.

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Career

Career overview

Charlton Heston began his acting career on stage and in live television before transitioning to film. He first gained major attention in Cecil B. DeMille's The Greatest Show on Earth. Heston's subsequent performances in notable films led to international recognition.

He portrayed significant roles in The Ten Commandments and Ben-Hur, the latter of which featured him as Judah Ben-Hur. His performance in Ben-Hur earned him a notable distinction. Heston's career continued with a wide range of big-budget films, further establishing his reputation as a prominent actor.

Throughout his career, Heston accumulated numerous credits, with a total of 252 known credits. His acting career spanned multiple mediums, including stage and television, before transitioning to film. Heston's performances in notable films showcased his ability to take on significant roles, contributing to his status as a renowned actor.

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Frequent co-stars

Career timeline

Airports
Planet of the Apes: A Milestone of Science Fiction
Charlton Heston: Radical to Right Wing
Yul Brynner, the Magnificent
Hail Satan?I Am Richard PryorSword-and-Sandal: The Story of the Period EpicTodos los nombres de SaraEmergency: Donald Trump’s "Touch of Evil"
The Madding Crowd
Bienvenido Mr. HestonThe Lost City of Cecil B. DeMille
Spanish WesternChildren of the Civil Rights
Marlon Brando: An Actor Named DesireMagician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles
Talking PicturesGore Vidal: The United States of Amnesia
Charlton Heston and Ben-Hur: A Personal Journey
Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff2Everything2Terrible2: Tokyo Drift
Hollywood sul Tevere
Greatest Heroes and Legends: The Story of Moses
AFI: 100 Years... 100 Movies... 10th Anniversary Edition
De Madrid a la Luna
Ben-Hur: The Epic That Changed Cinema
Sam Peckinpah's West: Legacy of a Hollywood RenegadeRemembering Reagan at His Ranch
Christmas in HollywoodThe Making of The Ten CommandmentsMy FatherGreatest Heroes and Legends of The Bible: Jonah and the WhaleBen Hur
Bowling for ColumbineThe Making of 'Tombstone'Edith Head: The Paramount YearsThe Face of Evil: Reinhard Heydrich
Planet of the ApesCats & DogsThe OrderLast Party 2000The Making of Midway
The Weber ShowHollywood at Your Feet: The Story of the Chinese Theatre Footprints
Any Given SundayForever HollywoodYesterday's TomorrowsCamino de SantiagoTelevision: The First Fifty Years
ArmageddonSworn to Secrecy: Secrets of WarAlaska: Spirit of the WildSecrets of War: Shadows of The ReichBehind the Planet of the Apes
HerculesBarbara Stanwyck: Straight Down the LineBig Guns Talk: The Story of the WesternCharlton Heston Presents the BibleCharlton Heston Presents the Bible: Genesis
HamletAlaskaThe Lord ProtectorShirley Maclaine: Kicking Up Her HeelsLove in Hollywood
The Outer LimitsIn the Mouth of MadnessMADtvTexasThe Avenging Angel
FriendsSpace Ghost Coast to CoastTrue LiesA Century of CinemaMasters of Illusion: The Wizards of Special Effects
Late Night with Conan O'BrienseaQuest DSVTombstoneWayne's World 2The Mystery of the Sphinx
Solar CrisisCrash Landing: The Rescue of Flight 232Symphony for the SpireNoël

Full filmography

  • Airports (2025)
  • Planet of the Apes: A Milestone of Science Fiction (2024) as Self (archive footage)
  • Charlton Heston: Radical to Right Wing (2023) as Self (archive footage)
  • Yul Brynner, the Magnificent (2020) as Self - Actor (archive footage)
  • Hail Satan? (2019) as Self - Actor (archive footage)
  • I Am Richard Pryor (2019) as Self - Actor (archive footage)
  • Sword-and-Sandal: The Story of the Period Epic (2019) as Self - Actor (archive footage)
  • Todos los nombres de Sara (2019) as Self - Actor (archive footage)
  • Emergency: Donald Trump’s "Touch of Evil" (2019) as (archive footage)
  • The Madding Crowd (2017) as Self (archive footage)
  • Bienvenido Mr. Heston (2016) as Self (archive footage)
  • The Lost City of Cecil B. DeMille (2016) as Self
  • Spanish Western (2015) as Self (archive footage)
  • Children of the Civil Rights (2015) as Self (archival footage)
  • Marlon Brando: An Actor Named Desire (2014) as Self - Actor (archive footage)
  • Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles (2014) as Self - Actor (archive footage)
  • Talking Pictures (2013) as Self (archive footage)
  • Gore Vidal: The United States of Amnesia (2013) as Self (archive footage)
  • Charlton Heston and Ben-Hur: A Personal Journey (2011) as Self (archive footage)
  • Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff (2010) as Self – Interviewee
  • 2Everything2Terrible2: Tokyo Drift (2010) as (archive footage)
  • Hollywood sul Tevere (2009)
  • Greatest Heroes and Legends: The Story of Moses (2008) as Self - Host / Moses
  • AFI: 100 Years... 100 Movies... 10th Anniversary Edition (2007) as Self (archive footage)
  • De Madrid a la Luna (2006) as Self (archive footage)
  • Ben-Hur: The Epic That Changed Cinema (2005) as Self (archive footage)
  • Sam Peckinpah's West: Legacy of a Hollywood Renegade (2004) as Self (archive footage)
  • Remembering Reagan at His Ranch (2004) as Host
  • Christmas in Hollywood (2003) as Self (archive footage)
  • The Making of The Ten Commandments (2003) as Self (archive footage)
  • My Father (2003) as Josef Mengele
  • Greatest Heroes and Legends of The Bible: Jonah and the Whale (2003) as Self - Host
  • Ben Hur (2003) as Ben Hur (voice)
  • Greatest Heroes and Legends of The Bible: The Garden of Eden (2003) as Self - Host
  • Lasting Love (2003)
  • Greatest Heroes and Legends of the Bible: Daniel and the Lion's Den (2003) as Self - Host
  • Greatest Heroes and Legends of The Bible: Joshua and the Battle of Jericho (2003) as Self - Host
  • Greatest Heroes and Legends of The Bible: Samson and Delilah (2003) as Self - Host
  • Greatest Heroes and Legends of The Bible: David and Goliath (2003) as Self - Host
  • Bowling for Columbine (2002) as Self - NRA President
  • The Making of 'Tombstone' (2002) as Self
  • Edith Head: The Paramount Years (2002) as Self (archive footage)
  • The Face of Evil: Reinhard Heydrich (2002) as Narrator (voice)
  • Planet of the Apes (2001) as Zaius (uncredited)
  • Cats & Dogs (2001) as The Mastiff (voice)
  • The Order (2001) as Professor Finley
  • Last Party 2000 (2001) as Self
  • The Making of Midway (2001) as Self
  • Town & Country (2001) as Mr. Clayborne
  • The Gun Deadlock (2001) as Self
  • The Weber Show (2000) as Charlton Heston
  • Hollywood at Your Feet: The Story of the Chinese Theatre Footprints (2000) as Self
  • Any Given Sunday (1999) as AFFA Football Commissioner
  • Forever Hollywood (1999) as Self
  • Yesterday's Tomorrows (1999) as Self
  • Camino de Santiago (1999) as Professor Marcelo Rinaldi
  • Television: The First Fifty Years (1999) as Self
  • Armageddon (1998) as Narration (voice)
  • Sworn to Secrecy: Secrets of War (1998) as Self - Narrator (voice)
  • Alaska: Spirit of the Wild (1998) as Self - Narrator (voice)
  • Secrets of War: Shadows of The Reich (1998) as Self - Narrator (voice)
  • Behind the Planet of the Apes (1998) as Self - 'Taylor'
  • Private Screenings: Charlton Heston (1998) as Self
  • Gideon (1998) as Addison Sinclair
  • Gary Cooper: The Face of a Hero (1998) as Self
  • Hercules (1997) as Narrator (voice)
  • Barbara Stanwyck: Straight Down the Line (1997) as Self
  • Big Guns Talk: The Story of the Western (1997) as Self
  • Charlton Heston Presents the Bible (1997) as Self - Narrator
  • Charlton Heston Presents the Bible: Genesis (1997) as Self - Host
  • Hamlet (1996) as Player King
  • Alaska (1996) as Perry
  • The Lord Protector (1996) as Narrator (voice)
  • Shirley Maclaine: Kicking Up Her Heels (1996) as Self
  • Love in Hollywood (1996) as Self
  • The Mysterious Origins of Man (1996) as Self - Host
  • Andersonville Diaries (1996) as Narrator
  • The Outer Limits (1995) as Chief Justice Haden Wainwright
  • In the Mouth of Madness (1995) as Jackson Harglow
  • MADtv (1995) as Self
  • Texas (1995) as Narrator
  • The Avenging Angel (1995) as Brigham Young
  • Eco-Challenge (1995)
  • Charlton Heston: For All Seasons (1995) as Self
  • Friends (1994) as Charlton Heston
  • Space Ghost Coast to Coast (1994) as Self
  • True Lies (1994) as Spencer Trilby
  • A Century of Cinema (1994) as Self
  • Masters of Illusion: The Wizards of Special Effects (1994) as Self
  • The Bible According to Hollywood (1994) as Self
  • The Legacy of Malthus (1994) as Self (Population Institute, 1993) (archive footage)
  • Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993) as Self - Guest
  • seaQuest DSV (1993) as Abalon
  • Tombstone (1993) as Henry Hooker
  • Wayne's World 2 (1993) as Good Actor
  • The Mystery of the Sphinx (1993) as Narrator
  • Charlton Heston Presents The Bible: The Story of Moses (1993) as Self - Host
  • Charlton Heston Presents the Bible: Jesus of Nazareth (1993) as Self - Host
  • Solar Crisis (1992) as Adm. "Skeet" Kelso
  • Crash Landing: The Rescue of Flight 232 (1992) as Captain Al Haynes
  • Symphony for the Spire (1992)
  • Noël (1992) as Narrator
  • Pebble Mill (1991) as Self
  • Noel's House Party (1991) as Star guest
  • The Crucifer of Blood (1991) as Sherlock Holmes
  • Air Force One: The Planes and the Presidents (1991) as Host and Narrator
  • Cults: Saying No Under Pressure (1991) as Narrator
  • Treasure Island (1990) as Long John Silver
  • Almost an Angel (1990) as God
  • A Night on Mount Edna (1990) as Self
  • The Little Kidnappers (1990) as James MacKenzie
  • With Orson Welles: Stories from a Life in Film (1990) as Self
  • Call from Space (1989) as Alien (voice)
  • Saturday Night Live: 15th Anniversary (1989) as Self
  • Original Sin (1989) as Louis Mancini
  • A Man for All Seasons (1988) as Sir Thomas More
  • A Man for All Seasons (1988) Director
  • All-Time Movie Greats (1988) as Self (archive footage)
  • Korea: The Unknown War (1988) as General Douglas MacArthur (voice)
  • The Dame Edna Experience (1987) as Self
  • Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood (1987) as Self
  • Proud Men (1987) as Charley MacLeod Sr.
  • Eclipse of Reason (1987) as Narrator
  • Andrew Weyth, The Helga Pictures (1987) as Self - Host
  • Directed by William Wyler (1986) as Self
  • The Fantasy Film Worlds of George Pal (1986) as Self
  • The Colbys (1985) as Jason Colby
  • The Stars Salute the U.S. Olympic Team (1984) as Self - Performer
  • Nairobi Affair (1984) as Lee Cahill
  • Chiefs (1983) as Hugh Holmes
  • Wogan (1982) as Self
  • Let Poland Be Poland (1982) as Self - Co-Host
  • Mother Lode (1982) as Silas McGee / Ian McGee
  • Mother Lode (1982) Director
  • The Orson Welles Story (1982) as Self
  • Barry Norman in Celebrity City (1982) as Self
  • Dynasty (1981) as Jason Colby
  • This Is Your Life: 30th Anniversary Special (1981) as Self
  • The Mountain Men (1980) as Bill Tyler
  • The Awakening (1980) as Matthew Corbeck
  • The Kennedy Center Honors (1978) as Self
  • Gray Lady Down (1978) as Captain Paul Blanchard
  • The Prince and the Pauper (1977) as Henry VIII
  • Energy: A National Issue (1977) as Narrator (voice)
  • Midway (1976) as Capt. Matthew Garth
  • The Last Hard Men (1976) as Sam Burgade
  • Two-Minute Warning (1976) as Capt. Peter Holly
  • America at the Movies (1976) as Narrator
  • Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Host
  • Les Rendez-vous du dimanche (1975) as Self
  • Spécial cinéma (1974) as Self
  • Dinah! (1974) as Self
  • Airport 1975 (1974) as Alan Murdock
  • Earthquake (1974) as Stewart Graff
  • The Four Musketeers (1974) as Cardinal Richelieu
  • The Three Musketeers (1973) as Cardinal Richelieu
  • The American Film Institute Salute to ... (1973) as Self
  • Soylent Green (1973) as Detective Robert Thorn
  • A Look at the World of 'Soylent Green' (1973) as Self
  • Antony and Cleopatra (1972) as Marc Antony
  • Antony and Cleopatra (1972) Director
  • Antony and Cleopatra (1972) Screenplay
  • The Call of the Wild (1972) as John Thornton
  • Skyjacked (1972) as Capt. Henry 'Hank' O'Hara
  • The Special London Bridge Special (1972) as Tennis Player
  • Film '72 (1971) as Self
  • V.I.P. Schaukel (1971) as Self
  • The Omega Man (1971) as Robert Neville
  • Vietnam! Vietnam! (1971) as Narrator (voice)
  • The Last Man Alive: The Omega Man (1971) as Self - Narrator
  • Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970) as Taylor
  • Julius Caesar (1970) as Marc Antony
  • The Hawaiians (1970) as Whip Hoxworth
  • King: A Filmed Record... Montgomery to Memphis (1970) as Self (archive footage)
  • Number One (1969) as Ron "Cat" Catlan
  • The Dick Cavett Show (1968) as Self - Guest
  • Planet of the Apes (1968) as George Taylor
  • Rowan & Martin at the Movies (1968) as Self
  • Elizabeth the Queen (1968) as Lord Essex
  • Will Penny (1967) as Will Penny
  • Counterpoint (1967) as Lionel Evans
  • 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 Greatest Story Ever Told (1965) as John the Baptist
  • Major Dundee (1965) as Major Amos Charles Dundee
  • The Agony and the Ecstasy (1965) as Michelangelo
  • The War Lord (1965) as Chrysagon
  • Uncertain Verification (1965) as (archive footage)
  • Night of the Dragon (1965) as Narrator
  • F.D.R. (1965) as Franklin Delano Roosevelt
  • 55 Days at Peking (1963) as Maj. Matt Lewis
  • The Greatest All-Star Advertial of All Time (1963) as Self
  • Look at Life: The City's Built for Shooting (1963) as Self
  • The Patriots (1963) as Thomas Jefferson
  • The Five Cities of June (1963) as Narrator
  • The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
  • The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self (archive footage)
  • The Merv Griffin Show (1962) as Self
  • Diamond Head (1962) as Richard 'King' Howland
  • The Pigeon That Took Rome (1962) as Captain Paul MacDougall / Benny the Snatch / Narrator
  • The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self - Guest
  • El Cid (1961) as El Cid Rodrigo de Vivar
  • Kraft Mystery Theatre (1961) as Paul Malone (archive footage)
  • Ben-Hur (1959) as Judah Ben-Hur
  • The Wreck of the Mary Deare (1959) as John Sands
  • Shirley Temple's Storybook (1958) as Beast
  • Touch of Evil (1958) as Ramon Miguel Vargas
  • The Big Country (1958) as Steve Leech
  • The Buccaneer (1958) as Gen. Andrew Jackson
  • Fun in the Big Country (1958) as Self
  • The Steve Allen Show (1956) as Self - Actor
  • The Steve Allen Show (1956) as Self
  • Playhouse 90 (1956) as Col. Jesse Price
  • The Ten Commandments (1956) as Moses
  • Forbidden Area (1956) as Col. Jesse Price
  • Three Violent People (1956) as Colt Saunders
  • Stars of Cabaret (1956) as Self (archive footage)
  • The Far Horizons (1955) as Lt. William Clark
  • The $64,000 Question (1955) as Substitute Host
  • Lucy Gallant (1955) as Casey Cole
  • The Private War of Major Benson (1955) as Maj. Bernard R. 'Barney' Benson
  • Climax! (1954) as Lt. Paul Peterson
  • Climax! (1954) as Chipman
  • The Naked Jungle (1954) as Christopher Leiningen
  • Secret of the Incas (1954) as Harry Steel
  • The Oscars (1953) as Self
  • Pony Express (1953) as Captain William Frank 'Buffalo Bill' Cody
  • General Electric Theater (1953) as Tim
  • The President's Lady (1953) as Andrew Jackson
  • Arrowhead (1953) as Ed Bannon
  • Bad for Each Other (1953) as Dr. Tom Owen
  • Three Lives (1953) as Self
  • Omnibus (1952) as Self - Presenter
  • The Greatest Show on Earth (1952) as Brad Braden
  • The Savage (1952) as James 'Jim' Aherne Jr. / War Bonnet
  • Ruby Gentry (1952) as Boake Tackman
  • Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Thomas Jefferson
  • Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Robert Devereaux, Earl of Essex
  • Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951)
  • A Bolt of Lightning (1951) as James Otis
  • Robert Montgomery Presents (1950) as Cashel Bryon
  • Robert Montgomery Presents (1950) as Peter Handley
  • Robert Montgomery Presents (1950) as Melody Jones
  • What's My Line? (1950) as Self
  • The Colgate Comedy Hour (1950) as Self
  • The Colgate Comedy Hour (1950) as Self - Host
  • Your Show of Shows (1950) as Self - Guest Performer
  • Your Show of Shows (1950) as Self - Guest Host
  • 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
  • Suspense (1949)
  • Jane Eyre (1949) as Edward Rochester
  • The Philco Television Playhouse (1948)
  • The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self
  • Studio One (1948)
  • Studio One (1948) as Col. / Dr. Michael Knowle
  • Studio One (1948) as Philip Carey
  • Studio One (1948) as Petruchio
  • Studio One (1948) as Heathcliff
  • Studio One (1948) as Edward Rochester
  • Studio One (1948) as Mitch Henderson
  • Studio One (1948) as James Otis
  • Studio One (1948) as Macbeth
  • Studio One (1948) as Merton Densher
  • Studio One (1948) as Commander Schneider
  • Bambi (1948) as Self
  • Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self
  • Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Presenter
  • Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Nominee
  • Peer Gynt (1941) as Peer Gynt
  • Science Fiction Film Awards as Himself