Legendary losses in Hollywood
In the last month Hollywood lost two acting legends. Richard
Widmark died March 24 from complications due to a fall. He was
94.
Just two weeks later, Charlton Heston died April 5 after
battling Alzheimer’s disease. He was 84.
Legendary losses in Hollywood
In the last month Hollywood lost two acting legends. Richard Widmark died March 24 from complications due to a fall. He was 94.
Just two weeks later, Charlton Heston died April 5 after battling Alzheimer’s disease. He was 84.
Of the two I’ve always preferred Heston. “Planet of the Apes” (1968) is one of my favorite movies and I used to watch “The Ten Commandments” (1956) every Easter on TV with my dad.
I never liked Widmark because I had read he didn’t get along with John Wayne during the filming of “The Alamo.” Then last year I rented “Panic in the Streets,” “Madigan” and “Pickup on South Street” and I was really impressed with his performances.
Widmark and Heston were both solid, dependable leading men who acted in several different genres. They were comfortable playing cowboys, soldiers or cops. They were anti-heroes. Widmark was surly and Heston cynical.
Widmark made his screen debut in 1947 as the laughing killer Tommy Udo in “Kiss Of Death.” His most famous scene is when he pushes a wheelchair-bound old lady down a flight of stairs. It was his first and only academy award nomination.
Heston’s film debut was in the 1941 film “Peter Gynt.” He worked steadily and earned an academy award in 1959 for “Ben-Hur,” a film best remembered for the exciting chariot race between Ben-Hur and Messala (played by Stephen Boyd). The film won 11 academy awards.
In the ’60s Heston starred in epics like “El Cid” (1961) and “Khartoum” (1966). Widmark was in “Judgment at Nuremberg” (1961) and 1964’s “The Long Ships.”
They starred in some of the best Westerns ever filmed. Widmark was in John Ford’s “Two Rode Together” (1961) and “How The West Was Won” (1962). Heston was Buffalo Bill Cody in “Pony Express” (1953) and he co-starred with Gregory Peck in 1958’s “The Big Country.” He played the lead role in Sam Peckinpah’s forgotten masterpiece “Major Dundee” (1965).
In 1968 they gave some of their greatest performances – Widmark in the crime drama “Madigan” costarring Henry Fonda, and Heston in “Planet of the Apes.”
During the ’70s Heston worked in science fiction movies, such as “The Omega Man” (1971,) which was remade as “I Am Legend” with Will Smith in 2007, and “Soylent Green” (1973). In 1974 he starred in the classic disaster films “Airport 1975” and “Earthquake.”
Widmark was in 1977’s “Rollercoaster” about a madman who blows up roller coasters. He was one of many stars in Irwin Allen’s 1978 film “The Swarm,” a film about African killer bees also starring Michael Caine and Henry Fonda.
Later in their careers Widmark and Heston turned to television. Widmark starred in the short-lived series “Madigan” from 1972-1973. He played Ben Franklin in the 1974 miniseries “Ben Franklin.” He also starred in several made-for-TV movies like “A Whale for the Killing” (1981) and “When Legends Die” (1972).
Heston starred in the “Dynasty” spin-off “The Colbys” from 1985-1987. He played Sherlock Holmes in 1992’s “Crucifer Of Blood.” In 1987 and 1993 he hosted “Saturday Night Live.” He had a funny guest shot on “Friends” in 1998.
Heston worked steadily up to 2003. He had roles in the 2001 remake of “Planet of the Apes” and did the voice for an animated version of “Ben-Hur” in 2003.
Widmark stopped working in 1991. His last film was “True Colors” with John Cusack and James Spader.
With the passing of these two legends there are very few stars left from the old days of Hollywood. In fact, I can think of only two – Kirk Douglas and Mickey Rooney.
At least we have great films to remember them by.
Essential Charlton Heston Films: “Ben-Hur,” “The Ten Commandments,” “Planet of The Apes,” “Touch Of Evil,” “Soylent Green.”
Essential Richard Widmark Films:
“Kiss Of Death,” “Panic In the Streets,” “Night And The City,” “Pickup On South Street,” “Median.”
