Charlton Heston Was No Bette Davis

I was saddened to learn of Charlton Heston's death right after seeing a rerun of Stardust: The Bette Davis Story, a Turner Classic Movies documentary on the life of the extraordinary if troubled actress.

While any comparison between the gorgeously handsome Heston and the gorgeously strange Davis may seem inapt, one leaped out at me:

As actors, Heston did pretty well with what he had through a career of big but not particularly challenging roles in which he repeatedly played to Hollywood stereotypes while Davis did brilliantly with what she had through a career filled with offbeat and demanding roles in which she repeatedly shattered Hollywood stereotypes.

Anyhow, may he rest in peace.

Photo by American Music Classics via The Associated Press