I was about 12 or 13 when my best friend, Kathy, and I went to see Ben-Hur at the movie theater. We enjoyed it so much that we went back the next day to see it again. Thus began my unending love for this movie, and my undying admiration for the talent of Charlton Heston. In my opinion, Ben-Hur and The Ten Commandments rank right up there as 2 of the best epic films and timeless classics in history. No one else in the world could have played Moses or Judah Ben-Hur as well as Charlton Heston!

Why am I rambling about all of this? Because I heard something today that really made me sad. On a newsbreak this morning, it was announced that Charlton Heston is stepping down as President of the National Rifle Association (a real-life role of his which I never really liked much, but that's a whole 'nother subject) for health reasons -- he's apparently experiencing the onset of Alzheimers. That's just ..... so sad ..... so totally not right. A heartbreaking way for anyone's life to end, for sure; but for me, Charlton Heston was always larger-than-life, and the body of his work so amazing .... he shouldn't have to end his life that way. But as I said, no one should have to end their life like that. It's so cruel.

Thank you, Mr. Heston, for your decades of phenomenal movie-making, for inspiring one little girl beyond words so long ago, and for continuing to do so each and every time I watch Judah touch the faces of his mother and sister, while looking at them through tears of disbelief and joy. My own eyes well with tears just thinking about it. Now that is acting!

Amazing how someone can make you feel so fresh, alive and happy. Makes you want to give it back to them as well. Sadly, sometimes we cant :(

Thoughtfully shared by: Diana at April 25, 2003 09:50 PM

they don't get much better than Charlton, hey! I loved him in the "Planet of the Apes" movies too.
Sad to hear about his Alzheimers.:(

Thoughtfully shared by: Debbie at April 26, 2003 06:27 PM