"I have played three [American] Presidents, three saints and two geniuses. If that doesn't create an ego problem nothing does!" He once declared. Among Hollywood stars he is known to be practically free of ego.

A critic called him "the Sand and Saint star", a description which fits him like a velvet glove. In the history of movies he is the only actor who has played the roles of Moses, Michaelangelo, Henry, the Eighth, and the Voice of GOD (in Ten Commandments). He has also played a role of the ancient Roman hero Antony on stage.

Such a brilliant actor is Charlton Heston, the hero of classic movies Ten commandments (1956), The Agony And Ecstasy (1965), Ben Hur, Planet of the Apes (1967) to name a few.

Recently the American Film Institute in Hollywood established a new award known as ‘Charlton Heston Award’ and the first recipient chosen is none other than Charlton Heston! The award will be presented to him soon.

John Charlton Carter was born on October 4, 1924 in Chicago. Soon the Carter family moved to rural Michigan where the boy learnt to hunt and fish. When he was ten he underwent the sad experience of his parents divorcing. This traumatic experience affected his mental make-up and he became a loner, shy and withdrawn. His mother Lilla married again Mr. Heston and, to escape the 'shame of divorce', he took the name of his stepfather and became John Heston. His popular nickname is ‘Chuck’.

Like most American families the Heston family too suffered the pains, agony and tensions of the Depression Era of early 1930’s. However the shy lad went to school in rural Illinois where his ingrained shyness increased. To get out of such mental armor, he made up his mind to go on stage and appear in public. Thus he joined the school theatre troupe.

His schoolmate and a bright young girl Lydia Clarke also in the same theatre group noticed his shyness and decided to help him to get rid of it all. She asked him to teach her how to say her lines on stage! This exercise helped the future star in a big way and soon the two began to date regularly. The lovebirds married in March 1944.

A modest scholarship enabled him to get trained in acting. After completion he started working for New York Theater. This helped him to gain confidence in himself. His acting talent convinced him that he could have a future in acting not merely in theatre but in movies too.

In late 1940’s he reached Hollywood where he made his debut in Dark City (1950, an underworld thriller in which the newcomer created good impact) Impressed by the new man studios came up with offers of the usual seven year contracts. But Charlton Heston did not wish to be tied down with such long and lingering contracts. He wanted to be free to negotiate with the studios on short-term contracts which was somewhat unusual in that period. However with the strong he stuck to this decision which brought him ample dividends.

Legendary Hollywood filmmaker Cecil B. deMille cast him as a circus owner in The Greatest Show On Earth (1952). This film made the filmmaker and actor come close and deMille cast him in the prestigious role of Moses in his colossal movie extravaganza Ten Commandments (1956). This was the turning point in Heston's career and he never looked back. This box office bonanza established him as an international star. Besides playing Moses, Heston was the Voice of God in the movie.

Another movie of 1962 was Ruby Gentry directed by noted filmmaker King Vidor. The movie was then considered as ‘erotic’ thanks to the hot love sequences between Heston and Jennifer Jones who played a provocative beauty. This film attracted large crowds in India mainly because of its kissing sequences!

More movies followed enhancing his reputation, like Pony Express (1950), The President’s Lady (1952) and Buccaneer (1958). And then came his greatest moment of glory and gold (Oscar) of his career, the William Wyler super hit Ben Hur (1959). Heston won an Oscar for Best Actor.

Later he played major roles in a series of 'Disaster Movies’ like Earthquake (1974.) He also did a couple of westerns like Mother Lode (1982).

He was the President of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and also the American Film Institute (AFI). He is also involved in the control of ‘gun culture’ in America. At one time he was tipped as the right person not only to be the Governor of California but also to occupy the White House instead of Ronald Reagan!

Over six feet tall, Charlton Heston is a rare kind of gentleman in Hollywood. A strong silent man, he speaks what he feels and does what he believes in. A rare quality among humans and more so, movie stars!