Heston Has Alzheimer's Symptoms

In a bombshell announcement Friday, the 78-year-old actor and activist announced he had "a neurological disorder whose symptoms are consistent with Alzheimer's disease."

"I wanted to prepare a few words for you now because when the time comes I may not be able to," Heston said via a videotaped statement played to reporters at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Heston made the tape two days earlier.

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> "I've lived my whole life on the stage and screen before you. I've found purpose and meaning in your response. For an actor there's no greater loss than the loss of his audience. I can part the Red Sea, but I can't part with you, which is why I won't exclude you from this stage in my life."

Upwards of 4 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's, an untreatable neurological disorder that detroys brain cells and causes memory loss. As the condition progresses, patients require 24-hour care. Most patients live about 10 years after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's. On Wednesday, the family of "Dear Abby" creator Pauline Phillips revealed she has been battling the disease, as has former president and longtime Heston pal Ronald Reagan.

In a statement, Nancy Reagan said she was "extremely sad" to learn of Heston's condition. "However, I applaud his going public with the information. Our family knows all too well the cruelty of this disease and we pray that God will give the Heston family, especially [his wife] Lydia, who will be the primary caregiver, the strength to face each day that lies ahead."

Heston has always been known for a rugged, uncompromising demeanor both offscreen, as a political activist championing gun rights and other conservative causes, and on-, in such films as Touch of Evil, El Cid, True Lies, Soylent Green The Omega Man and The Greatest Show on Earth. More recently, he appeared in a string of beer ads spoofing himself and had small roles in last year's Cats & Dogs and Tim Burton's Planet of the Apes remake. He also appeared on NBC's now defunct sitcom Cursed. He's currently doing voice work for a straight-to-video cartoon version of Ben-Hur due in April 2003.

A source close to Heston says he has a full slate of projects and is even considering a film role. In typical Heston style, the source says, the actor just wanted to confront the diagnosis head on now, before he became too addled.

National Rifle Association chief Wayne LaPierre says he expects Heston will finish out his run as NRA president, a position the actor has held since 1998. Heston's term expires next April.

"Chuck is a good friend," says fellow NRA member Tom Selleck. "As an actor he is one of our national treasures, and I have great respect for him as a man. His statement was eloquent, graceful and thoughtful--just as I have know him as a friend to be."

Heston, who fended off prostate cancer three years ago, insists he is "neither giving up nor giving in...For now, I'm not changing anything. I'll insist on work when I can; the doctors will insist on rest when I must. If you see a little less spring in my step, if your name fails to leap to my lips, you'll know why. And if I tell you a funny story for the second time, please laugh anyway.

"I must reconcile courage and surrender in equal measure. Please feel no sympathy for me. I don't. I just may be a little less accessible to you, despite my wishes.

"I also want you to know that I'm grateful beyond measure. My life has been blessed with good fortune."