Charlton Heston, born as John Charles Carter, was an American actor and political activist. Heston gained prominence for his leading roles in numerous Hollywood films, including biblical epics, science-fiction films, and action films. He carved a niche for himself by winning an Academy Award, securing several nominations for the Golden Globe Awards, and the Prime Time Emmy Awards. He was renowned for his performances in films like The Ten Commandments (1956) and Ben-Hur (1959), for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor. Apart from acting, Heston was known for his off-screen activism. During the 1950s and early 1960s, he openly condemned racism and was a vocal supporter of the civil rights movement. In 1987, he left the Democratic Party and became a Republican, taking an active part in establishing a conservative political action committee and supporting Ronald Reagan. He also served as the five-term president of the National Rifle Association (NRA) and later announced that he was living with Alzheimer's Disease.

Heston ventured into a wide array of notable roles and made contributions to different film genres. Some of his remarkable works include The Greatest Show on Earth (1952), Touch of Evil (1958), El Cid (1961), Planet of the Apes (1968), and Antony and Cleopatra (1972). In the latter part of his career, he acted in films such as Mother Lode (1982), Tombstone (1993), True Lies (1994), and Hamlet (1996). His acting prowess and strong screen presence rendered him a versatile icon in the Hollywood industry. Despite his successful acting career, Heston held his ground by opposing divisive societal norms, thereby advocating for the rights of the marginalized while transitioning his political ideologies from being a liberal Democrat to a conservative Republican.