Charlton Heston, 1923-2008. R.I.P.

Actor Charlton Heston died yesterday at the age of 84. No cause of death was announced but he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2002. Heston is best known for his starring role in the 1959 film Ben-Hur for which he won an Academy Award for Best Actor. He also starred in The Ten Commandments, Planet of the Apes and El Cid amongst many others. But he became equally well known for conservative activism which culminated in his election as President of the National Rifle Association in 1998. He stepped down in 2003. Needless to say he earned the scorn of the Hollywood Left Michael Moore and George Clooney in particular. Of course, Heston also participated in civil rights marches at a time it could have cost him his life. Although he was admired by some contemporary actors like Mike Myers who gave him a nice cameo in Wayne's World 2. Heston also served as President of the Screen Actors Guild. Needless to say, I don't think we'll see a conservative elected to that post again in our lifetime.