Opinion: Nancy Reagan remembers Charlton Heston and Ronnie, both Alzheimer’s victims

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They must have been really good friends.

The wife of the late President Reagan, Nancy, has just issued an unusual public statement of sorrow at the death over the weekend of Moses, er, Ben-Hur, er, Charlton Heston.

Her statement and a little Googling remind us of how similar were these men, who were also good friends. Both were famous actors. Both were president of the Screen Actors Guild. Both entered politics later in life, both on the conservative side of the spectrum.

And, with their wives at their bedsides, both died in the horrible fog of Alzheimer’s disease -- Heston on Saturday night at age 84 and the 40th president on June 5, 2004. Has it been that long ago already?

The Ticket did its own special political tribute to Charlton Heston here Saturday -- ‘Charlton Heston dies! Hollywood’s GOP population plummets 25%’ -- including a link to memorable audio of some of his most famous movie and political lines.

Here’s the former first lady’s statement:

‘I was heartbroken to hear of the death of Charlton Heston. He was one of Ronnie’s and my dearest friends.

‘He shared a love of radio and acting and politics with Ronnie, and I know they had many discussions about each of their terms as president of the Screen Actors Guild. I will never forget Chuck as a hero on the big screen in the roles be played, but more importantly I considered him a hero in life for the many times that he stepped up to support Ronnie in whatever he was doing.

‘We were honored to know Chuck as a friend, and my prayers go out to Lydia, Fraser and Holly Ann at this very difficult time.’

-- Andrew Malcolm

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