As a resident of Colorado, my feelings towards Heston are conflicted. I think you're absolutely right, Wishawk, that he was an actor's actor, a true legend and the producer of some of the nation's greatest roles.

After Columbine, his actions with the NRA were less than ideal. I recognize that his first duty was to the NRA, but holding the convention in Denver so soon after was a somewhat heartless maneuver.

That said, I do believe he has more than earned his place in our history as one of the greats, and am happy to pass along your suggestion. Thanks!

I can thoroughly appreciate Mr. Newman's point. But I would rather think that Mr. Heston was more concerned about the right to choose to have a gun or the right to choose to not have one. In this country many of our rights are being taken away slowly one at a time. Even though the choice is clearly to not own a gun, we as Americans should still have the right to make the choices. In my heart I feel that was the over all issue that Mr, Heston started out with in the beginning. However if it got lost, the bottom line was, America means we choose with the freedom to do so. That was what Mr. Heston was standing behind. He was a great icon for this country and was a positive influence for Christianity, civil rights and humanity. Most of all, as an actor, he was a great story teller. My prayers go out to his family at this time.

I think you have a point LB, it is important to have the freedom to choose. I guess part of me just wishes he had made the choice to hold a rifle convention in Denver a bit later on in respect for the dead.

Out of respect for the dead, however, I choose to remember Heston by his roles. He was a great story teller, and he will be missed.

I am very distressed to see that AMC has no tribute for Mr. Heston. Is this icon worth back page news when airheads like Paris Hilton have the world hanging on her every move?! What has happened to honoring the true great entertainers of the big screen! Shame on AMC for not honoring this American Movie Classic!!!

I don't mean to belittle Mr. Heston's contribution, which I think is deserving of praise, but might anyone agree that the man's roles were perhaps more legendary than his talent in portraying them?

The Ten Commandments and Planet of the Apes were seminal films, but was his performance really what made them?

His performances were legendary! I will wiss Mr.Heston dearly. As a LIfe Member of the NRA and fan of his movies I must say, so long old friend. I grew up watching his movies(EL CID, 10 commandments, Planet of the apes) on saturday mornings and those memories will be with me forever. If any of you are interested check out the NRA's web site and go to the archives to hear one of his speeches. The best one was in 1996 for the associations 125th anniversary,you wont be dissapointed.Can anyone tell me when AMC will be having a tribute weekend or movie marathon for him, it would be a fiting tribute to a legendary life!

Charlton Heston was the last of the "power-hitters" in Hollywood. I am only 36, but I can still remember seeing him in Ben-Hur and The Ten Commandments. He was strong, beautiful, introspective and unpredictable. He always gave more than he took in scenes. He made me cry every Easter.

I'm happy to see some people remember Charlton Heston for for his great acting and carisma. As I expected most of the media and Hollywood said little about his life or accomplishments. When Heath Ledger passed away you would have thought all of tinseltown was crying their eyes out. At least I still have the memories from the 70s watching the 10 commandments on easter and EL CID on saturdays. Thats something no one will ever be able to take away. Thanks Chuck and God bless, I will miss you.

I suppose, ddemis, that the fervor around Heath Ledger's death had to do with how unexpected it was. No matter who you are, to die young is a tremendous tragedy. Charlton Heston was able to lead a long and full life, and leave behind a legacy of wonderful, classic films. Perhaps the same could have been said about Ledger -- now we'll never know.

I'll always be thankful for the legacy in film Heston left behind. But his actions later in life were divisive, and that could explain why some in the media were less apt to cover him with as much fervor. I'm not saying it's right, just is.

I understand your point that Heath died so young in his prime and it was a great shock. You also stated Charlton Hestons actions later in life were divisive, please elaborate.

Thanks AMC for paying tribute to Charlton Heston. He was one of the greats from Hollywoods golden age and will be missed.His contributions to acting and civil rights set an example for an entire generation. Thank you.

@ ddemis: What I meant was that his actions as the head of the NRA caused those who are opposed to looser gun standards to buck against him. For those people, he lost his stature as a Hollywood Icon, as Wishawk so elegantly put it, and became his cause.

It's an unfortunate truth, but his legacy will now be inextricably linked to the NRA, and for those people whose politics lie strictly anti-gun, he will never quite be the same person that delivered the Ten Commandments, or made out with an Ape. I suppose it's one of the dangers of actors becoming activists -- some of the mystique, some of the allure disappears. And if you happen to disagree with them, then it's hard to see them as anything other than proponents of a set of beliefs you either a) disagree with b) find abhorrent c) find ridiculous or d) Tom Cruise -- All of the above.