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Posted at 10:02pm on Apr. 6, 2008 Charlton Heston, RIP

By Pejman Yousefzadeh

There can be no doubt; Charlton Heston was certainly one of the most driven and devoted actors ever. And he was certainly one of the greatest. He got into acting for all of the right reasons and never allowed fame to get to his head. Quite the contrary; he used fame for the best purposes by thrusting himself into the public sphere and involving himself in civic causes in which he deeply believed. He was an actor-activist in the best sense, always ensuring that he was exceedingly well-informed about the subject matter he worked on and passionate about spreading his message to others--even when his stances threatened to curtail his acting opportunities. Hollywood is not an easy town in which to be a conservative. But Charlton Heston showed that it could be done and showed that it could be done well.

Ben Domenech, my RedState colleague, has a fine tribute. It is typical of Heston that while receiving praise from a fan, he would deflect it back and praise the fan instead. Would that others had so much class. My family and I would regularly watch The Ten Commandments every year that it came on around Passover. With Passover so near, Heston has now chosen to leave us. Interesting timing for the old actor. But I guess that in show business, you need to know how to make an exit.

Goodbye, Moses. We shall miss you.

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Posted at 10:44am on Apr. 6, 2008 "It's been quite a ride. I loved every minute of it. "

By absentee

Oscar winner, soldier, NRA hero, and American legend Charlton Heston died Saturday at the too young age of 84. Like his friend and ally Reagan, he suffered Alzheimers in his twilight years.

Reuters quotes Steven Gaydos, executive editor of Variety Magazine, saying what we all know is so ... "They don't make them like that any more." It goes to show how he was beloved even by those who didn't share his point of view.

"Political correctness is tyranny with a happy face." - Charlton Heston

Heston swaggered through life as man's man; he didn't take any crap or suffer any fools. A President of the NRA and activist in the Civil Rights movement, he always stood for liberty and fiercely loved America. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2003

Charlton once famously said you could have his guns when you pried them from his "cold, dead fingers." Forgive me for contradicting, but I doubt they can take them from you even now. Rest in Peace.

Posted at 1:51am on Apr. 6, 2008 Charlton Heston Passes Away

A great actor and a believer in inalienable rights

By Ben Domenech

Here's my Charlton Heston story.

When I was a teenager, and a lowly intern for Human Events, I spent my days writing about all sorts of topics that were, let's face it, not interesting enough to the editors to assign real, paid journalists.

Once, I wrote an article about gun rights, and an attack on them via a bill before the House of Representatives. It was a slightly different attack than those usually employed by the gun-grabbers, as I recall, but the details are lost to me. In any case: I went to a few hearings, I talked to a few staffers, and I wrote about it.

About a week after the story ran, I came back to my desk to find a pink "While you were out" note from the office secretary. Someone from then-National Rifle Association President Charlton Heston's office had called, the note said, asking for copies of my article. Please return call for address.

I dialed the number. A man picked up. And I heard Charlton Heston say, "Hello?"

I was stunned into silence for a moment. I glanced at the note - it was a California area code. I realized it did not say Charlton Heston's office had called - that had been assumed. No, it was the man himself. I had no idea what to say.

"Uh...Mr. Heston, I'm calling from Human Events, and I heard you were interested in copies of my article?"

"Oh, yes!" he replied. Could I send a few copies of the issue over to him, he asked? But of course. He gave me his address, ending with, "and that most hideous of zip codes, 9-0-2-1-0."

I still didn't know what to say, but figuring this was the only time I'd end up with the actor on the phone, I just added: "And sir, let me say as a fan, thank you so much for all the amazing work you've done on screen."

He laughed, and said "No, thank you, I appreciate it."

Made my week, that did.

R.I.P.

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