Charlton Heston Net Worth

Charlton Heston: A Titan of Hollywood – Net Worth, Career, and Life

What Was Charlton Heston’s Net Worth?

Charlton Heston, a name synonymous with cinematic grandeur and iconic roles, left behind a legacy as impressive as his filmography. At the time of his passing in 2008, his net worth was estimated at $40 million, a testament to his six decades of work in Hollywood. This figure reflects not only his earnings from a prolific acting career but also his investments and other financial endeavors.

Heston’s impact on cinema is undeniable. He starred in a string of unforgettable films, including “The Ten Commandments,” a biblical epic that remains a cinematic landmark. Other notable roles include “Touch of Evil,” a film noir classic; “Ben-Hur,” for which he won an Academy Award; “Planet of the Apes,” a science fiction masterpiece; and “Soylent Green,” a dystopian thriller. His versatility allowed him to portray historical figures, heroes, and complex characters, cementing his status as one of the most recognizable actors of all time. Heston retired from acting in 2002 after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and also stepped down from his role as president of the National Rifle Association.

Early Life and Education

Born John Charles Carter on October 4, 1923, in Wilmette, Illinois, Charlton Heston’s early life was marked by Midwestern roots and a developing interest in the arts. His parents, Lilla and Whitford Carter, moved the family to St. Helen, Michigan when Heston was an infant due to his father’s work as a sawmill operator. Growing up, Heston developed a love for the outdoors, including hunting and fishing. This period shaped his rugged persona, later reflected in his roles. When Heston was 10, his parents divorced. After his mother remarried, he and his siblings relocated to Wilmette. There, he attended New Trier High School, where he discovered his passion for acting. He participated in the drama program and became involved with the Winnetka Community Theatre. Heston further honed his craft at Northwestern University, where he studied drama.

Career Beginnings

Heston’s journey into the world of acting began with a foundation of theatrical experience. In 1944, he interrupted his studies to serve in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II, working as an aerial gunner and radio operator. This experience instilled a sense of discipline and a deep understanding of human resilience, which he later brought to his performances. Following the war, he moved to New York City, where he worked as an artists’ model to make ends meet. In 1948, Heston made his Broadway debut in a revival of “Antony and Cleopatra.” The following year, he portrayed Mark Antony in a film adaptation of “Julius Caesar,” marking an early indication of his suitability for classical roles. He also appeared in several episodes of the CBS anthology series “Studio One,” gaining valuable experience and exposure.

Film Career in the 50s

The 1950s marked Heston’s breakthrough into Hollywood stardom. He made his film debut in 1950 with the leading role in “Dark City,” a film noir that showcased his presence on screen. His career gained momentum with a role in Cecil B. DeMille’s “The Greatest Show on Earth,” which won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1952. The same year, he starred in “Ruby Gentry” and “The Savage,” which demonstrated his ability to take on diverse roles. 1953 proved to be a busy year, as he starred in “The President’s Lady,” “Pony Express,” “Arrowhead,” and “Bad for Each Other.” Heston further solidified his presence in Hollywood with two adventure films for Paramount in 1954: “The Naked Jungle” and “Secret of the Incas.” He continued to star in films like “The Far Horizons,” “The Private War of Major Benson,” and “Lucy Gallant.” His most iconic role came in 1956 when he portrayed Moses in DeMille’s epic “The Ten Commandments.” The film was a massive success and became one of the highest-grossing movies in history, earning him critical acclaim.

Following the success of “The Ten Commandments,” Heston returned to the Western genre in “Three Violent People.” He then appeared in Orson Welles’ “Touch of Evil,” William Wyler’s “The Big Country,” and Anthony Quinn’s “The Buccaneer.” In 1959, Heston delivered another iconic performance as the titular prince-turned-slave in William Wyler’s religious epic “Ben-Hur.” The film won a record 11 Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Heston. He later starred in “The Wreck of the Mary Deare.” His performances throughout the decade showcased his versatility, charisma, and ability to bring characters to life.

(Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)

Further Film Career

The 1960s and beyond saw Heston continue to solidify his place in Hollywood history. The actor starred in “El Cid,” “The Pigeon That Took Rome,” “Diamond Head,” and “55 Days at Peking.” He followed these with several historical epics, including “The Greatest Story Ever Told,” “The Agony and the Ecstasy,” “Major Dundee,” “The War Lord,” “Khartoum,” and “Counterpoint.” In 1968, he starred in the science-fiction film “Planet of the Apes,” which became a blockbuster and a cultural touchstone. He reprised his role in “Beneath the Planet of the Apes” the next year. During this time, Heston was also in “Number One,” “The Hawaiians,” and another adaptation of “Julius Caesar,” once again playing Mark Antony. In the 1970s, Heston transitioned into a major action star. His notable credits included “The Omega Man,” “Skyjacked,” “The Call of the Wild,” “Soylent Green,” “The Three Musketeers,” “Airport 1975,” “Earthquake,” “Midway,” “Two-Minute Warning,” and “Gray Lady Down.” He also made his directorial debut with “Antony and Cleopatra,” reprising his role as Mark Antony. In the early 1980s, he starred in “The Mountain Men,” “The Awakening,” and “Mother Lode,” which he also directed. Heston’s only other credit during the decade was “Call from Space,” in which he voiced an alien. He continued to work in the 1990s, appearing in “Solar Crisis,” “Almost an Angel,” “Wayne’s World 2,” “Tombstone,” “True Lies,” “In the Mouth of Madness,” “Hamlet,” “Armageddon,” and “Any Given Sunday.” Heston’s final film performance was in 2003, playing Nazi Josef Mengele in “Rua Alguem 5555: My Father.”

LUCY NICHOLSON/AFP/Getty Images

Television Career

While Heston was primarily known for his film work, he also made significant contributions to television. His only main role on a regular series was on the primetime soap opera “The Colbys,” which ran from 1985 to 1987. He appeared in other shows and several television films, including “A Man for All Seasons,” “Treasure Island,” “The Little Kidnappers,” and “The Crucifier of Blood.” Heston co-hosted the Emmy-winning NBC special “The Mystery of the Sphinx” in 1993. These television appearances showcased his versatility and broadened his reach to audiences beyond the cinema.

Political Activism

Heston’s political views evolved throughout his life. Early in his career, he was a Democrat and supported various liberal causes, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964. He was also involved in the fight against apartheid. However, around 1972, Heston shifted towards conservatism and supported Richard Nixon. In the 1980s, he officially became a Republican and advocated for Ronald Reagan. His political stance was marked by his involvement in the National Rifle Association. He served as the NRA’s president from 1998 to 2003, during which he made speeches that were considered by some to promote white supremacy.

Personal Life and Death

In 1944, Heston married Lydia Clarke, a fellow student at Northwestern University. They had two children, Fraser and Holly. Their marriage was a testament to enduring love and partnership. Heston’s life was touched by health challenges. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1998 but successfully underwent radiation treatment. In 2002, he announced that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, leading him to retire from acting and step down from his position at the NRA. Heston passed away in April 2008, at the age of 84, from complications of pneumonia at his home in Beverly Hills, California. His passing marked the end of an era in Hollywood, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances.

Real Estate

Throughout his life, Charlton Heston’s home was a reflection of his success. In the late 1950s, after the filming of “Ben-Hur,” he began constructing what would become his primary residence for the rest of his life. The house, known as “the house that Ben-Hur built,” was located in the hills of Beverly Hills, on a 3-acre property. The architect for the home was William S. Beckett, who was a renowned architect.

In 2015, Heston’s heirs listed the home for sale. The asking price was $12.3 million, and the property was sold for $12.2 million in January 2016. The buyer was French writer, director, and producer Luc Besson. Besson sold the home in January 2022, accepting $11.2 million.

Here’s a video tour of the home:

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