Planet of the Apes Star Charlton Heston Dies at 84

MY MOM'S LOVE AFFAIR WITH CHARLTON HESTON
With his handsome chiseled face and a commanding screen presence, Charlton Heston held a special place in my Mom's heart. Her love affair with Charlton Heston carried on through all his larger-than-life film roles "Ben Hur", "The Ten Commandments", "The Greatest Story Ever Told" and more. I hate to be the one to call with the news Charlton Heston died Saturday, April 5th at his home in California. He was 84 and in recent years suffered from alzheimer's disease.

A MAN OF PASSION
Who can ever forget the image of Charlton Heston, cutting a dashing heroic figure as he raced around in a Roman chariot? Yet, it was sometimes difficult to reconcile Charlton Heston the legendary screen actor with Charlton Heston the gun advocate and President of the National Rifle Association (NRA) challenging all opposed to take away his personal rife "from my cold, dead hands".

MOST MEMORABLE MOVIE LINES
Best known for some of his quotes from Planet of the Apes which include"Get your stinkin' paws off me, you damned dirty ape!" and upon discovery of a half buried Statue of Liberty at the end of the movie "You maniacs! You blew it up! Damn you! Damn you all to hell!" Or who can forget his plea in the science fiction movie "Soylent Green is people!"

HOW THE FAMILY OF CHARLTON HESTON REMEMBERS HIM
In a statement issued by his family "No one could ask for a fuller life than his. No man could have given more to his family, to his profession, and to his country. In his own words, 'I have lived such a wonderful life! I've lived enough for two people.'"

CHARLTON HESTON ON ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
"I must reconcile courage and surrender in equal measure."

IN HIS OWN WORDS
"It's been quite a ride. I loved every minute of it."
"I've played three presidents, three saints and two geniuses - and that's probably enough for any man."
"I have a face that belongs in another century."