RICHARD WIDMARK AND CHARLTON HESTON
They don’t make ‘em like they used to.

While they were bigger than life on the silver screen, they were gentle men off screen.

Did you know that Richard Widmark was from Illinois? Well, he wasn’t born here, he was born in Minnesota, but his family soon found their way to Princeton IL. Widmark went to Lake Forest College and studied acting and from there he became a star of stage, screen, radio and television in a career that spanned nearly seven decades.

From his early days with his first movie in 1947 called “Kiss of Death” to films like “Panic In The Streets,” “Pickup On South Street,” “The Street With No Name,” “Don’t Bother To Knock,” “Cobweb,” “Judgement At Nuremberg,” “No Way Out,” “Broken Lance,” “Warlock,” and “Against All Odds,” Widmark was always on his “mark” and ready to deliver. And deliver he did.

While Widmark roles were mostly serious, he decided to do a bit of a career reversal and even tried a romantic comedy opposite Doris Day in the Gene Kelly directed “Tunnel Of Love.”

Probably one of Widmark’s most popular roles was that of the legendary hero Jim Bowie in “The Alamo” directed by John Wayne. Widmark was last seen on screen in 1991’s “True Colors” starring our town’s John Cusack.

Widmark was well liked by his peers, revered by the critics, loved by the audience. A master of his craft, Widmark, preferred to live his life out of the limelight and let his work do the talking.
Charlton Heston on the other hand, preferred to do the talking.
Known for speaking his mind, Heston was actively involved in politics. Whether he was a staunch supporter of the Civil Rights Movement, or the President of the Screen Actors Guild, or the President of the National Rifle Association, Heston stood up for what he believed in.

Whether or not you agreed with his politics and his beliefs, one thing can not be denied, Heston was an
consummate actor.
Heston’s performances were often as big as well, say a Cecil B. DeMille movie. After all, he was in two
DeMille films “The Greatest Show On Earth” and the legendary “Ten Commandments.” Heston commanded a presence in each project that he was in including “The President’s Lady,” “Pony Express,” “Midway,” “Airport ‘75,” “The Big Country” and of course “Planet Of The Apes.”
Heston definitely did part the waters, his way.
With the passing of these two great icons, another chapter in the book of Old Hollywood ends.
Goodnight sweet Princes.