The American Film Institute (AFI) established a new award in honor of its Chair Emeritus Charlton Heston, named the AFI Charlton Heston Award, it was announced today by Howard Stringer, Chair of the AFI Board of Trustees and Jean Picker Firstenberg, Director and CEO of AFI. This award was established to acknowledge individuals who have made distinguished contributions to both the film and television communities and to the American Film Institute.
The first recipient of this honor, Charlton Heston, was presented with the award in his home during a private ceremony on September 23, 2003, attended by AFI Founding Trustee Jack Valenti and AFI Director and CEO Jean Picker Firstenberg.
Heston was honored for his leadership as President of the Screen Actors Guild (1965-1971); Chairman of the AFI Board of Trustees (1971-1982); President of AFI (1983-2002) and for his career as an international movie star and actor in film, television and stage.
Stringer commented, “The AFI Board of Trustees wanted to acknowledge Chuck’s contribution to the film and television communities and to AFI. For decades, he has been a major presence in movies and television around the world and his strong spirit of commitment to AFI lives on through this honor.”
Heston was recently honored by President George W. Bush with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award, presented to men and women of high achievement in the arts and entertainment, public service, science, education, athletics, business and other fields. Heston is known for his portrayals of the most compelling dramatic figures: Moses, Judah Ben-Hur, Michelangelo, General Andrew Jackson and Captain George Taylor.
The AFI Charlton Heston Award was established by the AFI Board of Trustees in 2003 and at its discretion, will select an individual to receive the Charlton Heston Award that has made distinguished contributions to both the film and television communities and to the AFI.
