The star of such superlative and influential movies such as Omega Man, Ben Hur, El Cid, The Ten Commandments and of course the Planet of the Apes series, he was always a huge screen presence. My personal favorite role for him was as Miguel "Mike" Vargas in Orson Welles "Touch of Evil"- a great, great film by any measure.

While his politics were certainly controversial, we should not forget that he marched in many of the very early civil rights marches in the early 60's, and following the assasination of Bobby Kennedy he actually supported President Johnson's gun-control initiatives! He also actively opposed McCarthyism and the Vietnam War.

His views may have evolved later in life, but as backward as some of his later opinions may have been he will be remembered for the pleasure he brought to those who watched him on the Silver Screen.

Rest in Peace, Mr. Heston.