Charlton Heston’s son recalls lessons from Hollywood legend

It’s understandable for a boy to be impressed, but Fraser said he admires his father, who died in 2008 at the age of 84, for much more than just his film roles.

“He hated that term: movie star,” explains Fraser, who made the TV documentary years ago Charlton Heston: The Man in the Arena. Through home movies, photos and diaries the actor kept for more than 50 years, the film shows how Charlton’s greatest legacy is “the kind of person he was,” Fraser said, along with the life lessons he taught his children, Fraser and Holly.

“He always said keep your promises and do your best,” Fraser said. “If you can do those two things, you will have a pretty good life and be considered a good person.”

Charlton has worked very hard to do his best Ben-Hurwhich Fraser says the actor considered his best film, but it wasn’t easy. Directed by William Wyler, Ben-Hur, about a Jewish prince who is betrayed into slavery and fights his way back to freedom, forced Charlton, who already played Moses in The Ten Commandmentsto really grapple with the character.

“Wyler came to him one day and said, ‘You know, Chuck, you’ve got to be better in this role,’” Fraser said. “And he said, ‘Gosh, Willy, tell me how, I did my best.’ And Wyler said, “I don’t know. You have to dig deep and find this man. ”