Iconic actor Charlton Heston (The Ten Commandments, Soylent Green, Planet of the Apes, and Ben Hur among many other starring roles) died of unspecified causes on Saturday. He had been battling Alzheimer's as well as prostate cancer for the last several years. He was 83.

While there's no doubt he's a screen legend, he may be most famous these days as the spokesman for the NRA - including a memorable real-life scene in Michael Moore's Bowling for Columbine in which he appears to be, well, senile.

He also had controversial views on homosexuality. Back in 1997, he had this to say about gays, which drew the ire of GLAAD:

"Many homosexuals are hugely talented artists and executives... also dear friends ... I don't despise their lifestyle, though I don't share it."

"As long as gay and lesbian Americans are as productive, law-abiding and private as the rest of us, I think America owes them absolute tolerance. It's the right thing to do ... But on the other hand, I find my blood pressure rising when Clinton's cultural shock troops participate in homosexual-rights fund-raisers but boycott gun-rights fund-raisers, and then claim it's time to place homosexual men in tents with Boy Scouts, and suggest that sperm donor babies born into lesbian relationships are somehow better served and more loved."

[via AfterElton]

What do you think? Hollywood legend or a bitter old codger? Or both?

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