Heston and Smith Actors Careers and Box Office by Stuart Grenville-Price

Charlton Heston 1923–2003

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Charlton Heston (October 4, 1923 – April 5, 2008 was an American actor of film, theater and television.[3] Heston is known for having played heroic roles, such as Moses in The Ten Commandments, Colonel George Taylor in Planet of the Apes, Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar in El Cid, and Judah Ben-Hur in Ben-Hur, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor. In the 1950s and 1960s he was one of a handful of Hollywood actors to speak openly against racism and was an active supporter of the Civil Right Movement. Initially a moderate Democrat, he later supported conservative politics and was president of the National Rifle Association from 1998 to 2003.

Hollywood Heston earned recognition for his appearance in his first professional movie, Dark City, a 1950 film noir. His breakthrough came when Cecil B. DeMille cast him as a circus manager in The Greatest Show on Earth, which was named by the Motion Picture Academy as the best picture of 1952. In 1953, Heston was Billy Wilder's first choice to play Sefton in Stalag 17. However, the role was given to William Holden, who won an Oscar for it. Heston became an icon for portraying Moses in The Ten Commandments, reportedly being chosen by director Cecil B. DeMille because he thought the muscular, 6 ft 3 in, square jawed Heston bore an uncanny resemblance to Michelangelo's statue of Moses.

Heston poses for his wife Lydia at their hilltop Beverly Hills home, just after winning an Oscar for his role in Ben-Hur, 1960.

After Marlon Brando, Burt Lancaster and Rock Hudson turned down the title role of Ben-Hur (1959), Heston accepted the role, going on to win the Academy Award for Best Actor one of the unprecedented eleven Oscars the film earned. (In 1995, Heston denied a claim by Ben-Hur screenwriter Gore Vidal that there is a gay subtext to the film. Vidal says he wrote the script with such an implication, but never mentioned the subtext to Heston--though he did so to Stephen Boyd who played Ben-Hur's friend Messala. Heston states that after writing one scene, Vidal was dismissed from the project and the homosexuality story is a reworking by Vidal of a well-known and possibly

apocryphal story involving Laurence Olivier's portrayal of Iago to an unwitting Ralph Richardson as Othello). After Moses and Ben-Hur, Heston was identified with Biblical epics more than any other actor. He voiced the role of a cartoon version of the Lew Wallace novel in 2003. Heston went on to leading roles in a number of fictional and historical epics— El Cid (1961), 55 Days at Peking (1963), as Michelangelo in The Agony and the Ecstasy (1965), and Khartoum (1966). Heston also played a leading role in the western movie, Will Penny (1968). In 1965, Heston became president of the Screen Actors Guild. He remained in the position until 1971, the second longest tenure to date in that office.[14] In 1968, Heston starred in the hugely successful Planet of the Apes and in 1970, he was in a smaller supporting role in the sequel, Beneath the Planet of the Apes. Also in 1970, Heston portrayed Mark Antony again in a Technicolor film version of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. His co-stars in the nearly all-star cast included Jason Robards as Brutus, Richard Chamberlain as Octavius, Robert Vaughn as Casca, and English actors Richard Johnson as Cassius, John Gielgud as Caesar, and Diana Rigg as Portia. In 1971 he starred in the science fiction film, The Omega Man. Although critically panned, the film is now considered a classic of apocalyptic horror. In 1972 Heston made his directorial debut, and starred, as Mark Antony in an adaptation of the William Shakespeare play he performed earlier in his theater career, Antony and Cleopatra. Hildegarde Neil was Cleopatra, and English actor Eric Porter was Enobarbus. After receiving scathing reviews, the film never went to theaters, and rarely turns up on television. It has not been released on DVD. He subsequently starred in successful films such as Soylent Green (1973), and Earthquake (1974). Beginning with playing Cardinal Richelieu in 1973's The Three Musketeers, Heston was seen in an increasing number of supporting roles, cameos and theater. From 1985 to 1987, he starred in his only prime-time stint on series television with the soap, The Colbys. With his son Fraser, he produced and also starred in several TV movies, including remakes of Treasure Island and A Man For All Seasons. In 1992, Heston appeared in a short series of videos on the A&E cable network reading passages from the King James Version of the Bible, called Charlton Heston Presents the Bible. It was filmed in the Middle East and received excellent reviews, achieving great success on video and DVD. Never taking himself too seriously, he appeared in 1993 in a cameo role in Wayne's World 2 (in a scene wherein main character Wayne Campbell (Mike Myers) requests that a small role be filled by a better actor). After the scene is reshot with Heston, Campbell weeps in awe. That same year, Heston hosted Saturday Night Live. He had cameos in the films Hamlet, Tombstone and True Lies. He especially worked at the Los Angeles Music Center where he appeared in such plays as Detective Story, The Caine Mutiny Court Martial, and as Sherlock Holmes in The Crucifer of Blood opposite Jeremy Brett as Dr. Watson, later winning acclaim for his interpretation of the famous detective in a television version. In 2001, Heston made a cameo appearance as an elderly, dying chimpanzee in Tim Burton's remake of Planet of the Apes. Heston's last film role was as the infamous Nazi doctor Josef Mengele in My Father, Rua Alguem 5555, which had limited release (mainly to festivals) in 2003.[15]

Charlton Heston as Antony, 1950,

Willard Christopher "Will" Smith, Jr. (born September 25, 1968)[1] is an American actor, film producer and rapper. He has enjoyed success in music, television and film. Newsweek has called him the most powerful actor on the planet.[2] Smith has been nominated for four Golden Globes, two Academy Awards, and has won multiple Grammys. Smith rose to fame as a rapper under the name The Fresh Prince in the late 1980s and his role in the television series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. His most notable films include Bad Boys and its sequel; Men in Black and its sequel; Independence Day; I, Robot; Ali; The Pursuit of Happyness; I Am Legend; Hancock; and Seven Pounds. He is the only actor in history to have eight consecutive films gross over $100 million in the domestic box office as well as being the only actor to have eight consecutive films open at #1 on the domestic box office as a Lead Actor.[3]

Life and career Early life and education Smith, an African American,[4] was born and raised in West Philadelphia and Germantown in Northwest Philadelphia. His mother, Caroline (née Bright), was a school administrator who worked for the Philadelphia school board, and his father, Willard Christopher Smith, Sr., was a refrigeration engineer.[5][6] He was raised Baptist.[7] His parents separated when he was thirteen and divorced when he was thirty-two.[8] Smith's charming and sly demeanor in school resulted in the nickname "Prince", which eventually turned into the "Fresh Prince". While still in his teens, Smith began rapping and eventually began collaborating with Jeff Townes (a.k.a. DJ Jazzy Jeff), whom he met at a party. He attended Overbrook High School in West Philadelphia. DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince was born with Smith handling the rhymes and Townes overseeing the mastery of mixing and scratching—the combination was a pop and hip-hop hit during the 1980s and early 1990s. While it is widely reported that Smith turned down a scholarship to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), he never applied to MIT,[9] although he was admitted to a "pre-engineering program" there.[10] According to Smith, "My mother, who worked for the School Board of Philadelphia, had a friend who was the admissions officer at MIT. I had pretty high SAT scores and they needed black kids, so I probably could have gotten in. But I had no intention of going to college."[11]

Career Smith started as the MC of the hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, with his childhood friend Jeffrey "DJ Jazzy Jeff" Townes as turntablist and producer as well as Ready Rock C (Clarence Holmes) as the human beat box. The trio was known for performing humorous, radio-friendly songs, most notably "Parents Just Don't Understand" and "Summertime." They gained critical acclaim for winning the first ever Grammy in the Rap category (1988). He had a line in "Voices That Care", a 1991 Gulf War song by a celebrity group. Smith spent money freely during his early career and underpaid his income taxes. The Internal Revenue Service eventually assessed a $2.8 million tax debt against Smith, took many of his possessions, and garnished his income.[12]

Will Smith in 1993 Smith was nearly bankrupt in 1990 when the NBC television network signed him to a contract and built a sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, around him. The show was successful and launched his acting career. Smith set himself the goal of becoming "'the biggest movie star in the world'," studying box office successes' common characteristics.[8] Although he made a notable dramatic film debut in Six Degrees of Separation while still appearing in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Smith's film career took off with his role in the buddy cop action film Bad Boys (1995) along with co-star Martin Lawrence. After The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air ended May 20, 1996, Smith began a successful solo music career while simultaneously starring in a series of films. The first two films were hugely successful summer blockbusters: Independence Day (1996), in which he played a fearless and confident fighter pilot, and Men in Black (1997), where he played the comic and confident Agent J against Tommy Lee Jones' deadpan Agent K. Smith's acting in Men in Black won critical praise. He originally rejected the lead role in Men in Black, but wife Jada Pinkett Smith coaxed him into acceptance. The two films established Smith's commercial reputation as a bankable star whose appeal across age, race, and gender lines could "open" a film at the box office, a reputation Smith would begin to term a "Big Willie Weekend". In 1998 he starred with Gene Hackman in Enemy of the State which had a seemingly far-fetched plot at the time but has become more and more plausible as the 'surveillance society' becomes more of a reality. Smith turned down the role of Neo in The Matrix in favor of Wild Wild West. Despite the failure of Wild Wild West, Smith has said that he harbors no regrets about his decision, asserting that Keanu Reeves's performance as Neo was superior to what Smith would have achieved.[13] Smith then went on to gain leading roles in several box office successes including Men in Black II, Bad Boys II, Hitch, and I, Robot. Smith is one of only two hip-hop artists to receive an Oscar nomination in an acting category[specify] (Best Actor, Ali, 2001), for his portrayal of the boxer Muhammad Ali, formerly known as Cassius Clay, in the biopic. He was again nominated for Best Actor Oscar for his role in another true-life movie, The Pursuit of Happyness, where he played Chris Gardner in his rags-to-riches story. Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith created the UPN (later CW) sitcom All of Us, which was loosely based on their lives. The show debuted on UPN in September 2003 and aired there for three seasons before moving to The CW in October 2006 for one more season. The CW cancelled All of Us in May 2007. Smith appeared as himself in Jersey Girl delivering the Silent Bob speech that appears in nearly all Kevin Smith movies. The lead character's situation is due to the claim, "Will Smith is just a rapper." Smith also released a string of hit singles, often associated with his most recent film, throughout the late 1990s. The most notable of these were his #1 hit theme song "Men in Black", the #1 hit "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It" (which made jiggy a catchphrase for a while in 1998), and a cover of "Just the Two of Us", an affectionate message to his young son. His first two solo albums went platinum, but his third, on Columbia Records, was a sales disappointment compared to his past efforts, and after a quick Greatest Hits release that was almost not advertised at all, he was dropped by the label. He signed a recording contract with Interscope Records and released the successful Lost & Found in 2005. The album was propelled solely on the smash hit single, "Switch", which appealed to the mainstream a la "Summertime". The single stayed atop the charts for months and returned Smith to the forefront of hip-hop. In 2005, Smith was entered into the Guinness Book of World Records for attending a record breaking three premieres in a 24-hour time span.[14] On July 2, 2005, Smith served as host for the Live 8 concert in his native Philadelphia in front of an enormous crowd, and later performed a set with DJ Jazzy Jeff.

Smith appeared at Nickelodeon Kid's Choice awards in 2005 performing "Switch", as well as the Black Entertainment Television awards in 2005. He appeared in the second game of the NBA Finals (San Antonio vs. Detroit) performing "Switch" in 2005. Smith also made a special appearance in the reality talent contest show "Indian Idol", when he visited India. Smith was considered for the role of John Smith in the movie Mr. and Mrs. Smith; Brad Pitt eventually received the role.[15] He was also considered for the role of Willy Wonka in the remake of the film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.[16] He has planned to star in a feature film remake of the television series It Takes a Thief.[17] Smith was recognized on December 10, 2007, at Grauman's Chinese Theater on Hollywood Blvd. Smith left an imprint of his hands and feet outside the world renowned theater in front of many fans.[18] Smith appeared in the film I Am Legend, released December 14, 2007. Despite marginally positive reviews,[19] its opening was the largest ever for a film released in the United States during December. Smith himself has said that he considers the film to be "aggressively unique".[20] Smith is developing a film entitled The Last Pharaoh, which he will star as Taharqa.[21] President Barack Obama stated that if a film were to ever be made about his life, he would have Smith play his part, because "he has the ears". Obama stated that the two have discussed a possibility of a film based on the 2008 election.[22] On December 1, 2008, TV Guide reported that Smith has been selected as one of America’s top ten most fascinating people of 2008 for a Barbara Walters ABC special that aired on December 4, 2008.[23]

Personal life Smith has been consistently listed in Fortune Magazine's "Richest 40" list of the forty wealthiest Americans under the age of 40. Smith and his family reside on Star Island (Florida) in Miami, Florida and in Los Angeles, Stockholm, Sweden[citation needed] and Philadelphia. Smith donated a large amount of money to assist Katrina victims.[citation needed] Smith donated $4,600 to the presidential campaign of Democrat Barack Obama.[25] Smith has said he has studied multiple religions including Scientology and he has said many complimentary things about Scientology and other faiths. He and his wife are close friends of prominent Scientologists Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, which has led to rumors that Smith is also a Scientologist. Although Smith has said, "I just think a lot of the ideas in Scientology are brilliant and revolutionary and non-religious"[26][27] and, "Ninety-eight percent of the principles in Scientology are identical to the principles of the Bible.... I don't think that because the word someone uses for spirit is 'thetan' that the definition becomes any different",[28] he has denied having joined the Church of Scientology, saying "I am a Christian. I am a student of all religions, and I respect all people and all paths."[29] After Jada made the film Collateral with Cruise in 2004, the couple donated USD$20,000 to Scientology's literacy campaign, called HELP, the Hollywood Education and Literacy Program, which is the basis for Scientology's home-schooling system.[30] After finishing work on the film Hancock, Smith gave crew members gift cards for a Scientology personality test at any Church of Scientology center as a wrap present, despite the fact that initial personality tests given by the organization are usually free.[31] The tax returns from his charitable organization, The Will Smith Foundation, indicate that in 2007, the Foundation donated $122,500 to the Church of Scientology. [32]

Filmography

Year

Film

Role

Salary (US$)

Notes

Saturday Morning Videos

Host

In Living Color

Various Characters

The Perfect Date "ABC Afterschool Specials"

Hawker

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

William "Will" Smith

TV (1990-1996)

Blossom

Fresh Prince

TV, Cameo

Where the Day Takes You

Manny

50,000

Made in America

Tea Cake Walters

100,000

Six Degrees of Separation

Paul

500,000

1995 Bad Boys

Detective Mike Lowrey

2,000,000

1996 Independence Day

Captain Steven "Steve" Hiller, USMC

5,000,000

1997 Men in Black

James Darrell Edwards / Agent J

5,000,000

1990

1992

1993

1998 Enemy of the State

Robert Clayton

14,000,000

Nominated — NAACP Image Award for

Dean

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture

Torrance Rises

Cameo

1999 Wild Wild West

Captain James "Jim" West

Welcome to Hollywood

Himself

The Legend of Bagger Vance

Bagger Vance

7,000,000

2000 10,000,000

Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture

Muhammad Ali

20,000,000

Nominated — Academy Award for Best Actor Nominated — Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture

Men in Black II

James Darrell Edwards / Agent J

20,000,000 BET Award for Best Actor + 10% of the Nominated — Black Reel Award for Best gross Actor

Girlfriend by B2K

Himself

2001 Ali

2002

Music video

20,000,000 Nominated — NAACP Image Award for + 20% of the Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture gross

2003 Bad Boys II

Detective Mike Lowrey

2004 A Closer Walk

Narrator

Documentary

Jersey Girl

Himself

Uncredited Cameo

American Chopper

Himself

TV, Cameo

I, Robot

Detective Del Spooner

28,000,000

Producer Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture

Shark Tale

Oscar

15,000,000

Voice

There's a God on the Mic

Documentary

Hitch

Producer Nominated — BET Award for Best Actor Nominated — Black Movie Award for Best Actor]] Nominated — Black Reel Award for Best Actor Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture

2005

2006

The Pursuit of Happyness

2007 I Am Legend

Hancock 2008 Lakeview Terrace

Alex "Hitch" Hitchens

20,000,000

Chris Gardner

Producer, Nominated — Academy Award for Best Actor Nominated — Black Reel Award for Best Actor Nominated — Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor 10,000,000 Nominated — Chicago Film Critics + 20% of the Association Award for Best Actor gross Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture Nominated — Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role

Producer, Nominated — BET Award for Best Actor Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture

Dr. Robert Neville

25,000,000

John Hancock

20,000,000 + 20% of the Producer gross

Producer

The Secret Life of Bees

Seven Pounds

Producer

Ben Thomas

Producer

2009 The Mark[33]

Box office grosses Year

Title

Budget U.S. gross[34] Worldwide gross[34]

1992 Where the Day Takes You

Made in America

N/A

$390,152

$44,942,695

$104,942,695

$6,284,090

1993 Six Degrees of Separation

1995 Bad Boys

$23m

$65,647,413

$141,247,413

1996 Independence Day

$75m

$306,169,25 5

$817,400,878

$250,690,53 9

$587,790,539

$111,549,83 6

$250,649,836

$170m

$113,805,68 1

$222,105,681

$80m

$30,695,227

$39,235,486

$107m $58,183,966

$84,383,966

1997 Men in Black $90m 1998 Enemy of the State

1999 Wild Wild West

2000

The Legend of Bagger Vance

2001 Ali

2002 Men in Black II

$140m

$190,418,80 3

$441,818,803

2003 Bad Boys II

$60m

$138,540,87 0

$272,940,870

I, Robot

$120m $144,801,02 3

Shark Tale

$75m

$161,192,00 0

$367,192,000

2005 Hitch

$70m

$177,784,25 7

$366,784,257

2006 The Pursuit of Happyness

$55m

$162,586,03 6

$306,086,036

$256,393,01 0

$585,055,701

$227,946,27 4

$624,346,274

$69,369,933

$130,051,824

$348,601,023

2004

2007 I Am Legend $150m Hancock 2008 Seven Pounds

$55m