We sent Contributing Editor David Rensin to find out why Charlton Heston has chosen to speak out lately on a variety of public issues and to see what sort of man lives behind his history of larger-than-life roles. Rensin told us, "I arrived at Heston's huge house at 8:30 A.M., noticing the GUARD DOGS ON DUTY, STAY IN CAR AND BEEP HORN sign as I negotiated his winding driveway. He met me at the door and we settled into facing Eames chairs for three hours. Heston took great pains to make each point absolutely clear; but in relaxed moments, he took himself a good deal less seriously than the public might expect. He has a weakness for peanut butter, and he makes good coffee."

Q 1

PLAYBOY: Do you feel that the media are taking pot shots at you because of your extraprofessional activities?

Charlton Heston: I've taken fairly exposed positions for some time now, back to the civil rights days. But I have never felt myself terribly ill used by journalists. If you're going to take a public position on some issue, press coverage is to your advantage. If you can't handle it so that it comes out reasonably supportive, then it's your fault. Then there's the entire legitimacy question. Every time I'm asked, "How do you think we should regard what you and Paul Newman say about the nuclear freeze?' I say, "Very skeptically. I hope you regard what anybody says about the nuclear freeze very skeptically.'

Q 2

PLAYBOY: Just because you're an actor?

Charlton Heston: That's right. Actors are not presumed to be professionally involved in that issue. When I talk about the Screen Actors Guild, on the record, it can be presumed I know what I'm talking about. I feel that I have a right to shoot my mouth off. Unfortunately, it's the media that would prefer to have me and Newman debating the nuclear freeze than Edward Teller and Admiral Turner. In our favor is that we're supposed to know how to communicate effectively. Besides, I don't think I should have to abandon my right as a citizen to speak out in public. And if I sound like a jerk, there's faint risk that someone will, out of context, distort what I say and make me seem a jerk. But that's a small risk. And what can I do about it, anyway? It's up to me to sound as reasonable and moderate as I can. It's not a question of propriety. Just a question of not looking like an asshole, you know?

Q 3

PLAYBOY: Considering all the heat you took in your battles with Ed Asner and in the midst of continuing controversies within the Screen Actors Guild, why did you choose to speak out on the nuclear issue? What drew you into the debate with Newman?

Charlton Heston: When this nuclear-freeze thing started, I was quite sure it was a mistake--that it was unverifiable, unnegotiable and unfair. But I also thought, Come on, Chuck, take a pass on this one. Then Paul called a press conference. The spine of his support of the freeze was "What's all this nonsense about the Soviet Union's not keeping its treaties? It keeps its treaties as well as anybody else." And I thought, That does it. There are much better arguments he could make.

Although Paul and I have never been close, I've always respected him. He's a Democrat, I'm independent, but we've often found ourselves in support of the same candidate. And I think he's a fine actor. The casual encounters we've had have always been amicable. Therefore, I was shocked when I went in to do the debate and he wouldn't shake hands with me. I said, "Hi, Paul. How are you?" And he said, "I hate this personal shit you've been doing." Which is not true. I think it's a great mistake to make personal attacks on anyone with whom you're differing on a public issue. I understand it's a debating technique if you want to make someone mad. I remember when I made my first statement. I thought very carefully about what I would say about Paul. I mentioned the clear refutations of record of his position on the Soviets' abrogation of treaties. I said that if in the face of that Paul felt that the Soviets had kept their treaties, he was singularly innocent. That's not a very pejorative comment to make about someone. I could have said he was a stupid son of a bitch. But I didn't feel it. I remain hurt that he would take personal offense at that. Unlike Asner, I separate out the personal. It was stupid of Asner to call me a cocksucker within range of 17 microphones.

Q 4

PLAYBOY: How friendly are you and President Reagan? Do you call him Ronnie?

Charlton Heston: I am a great admirer and supporter of President Reagan's, but our intimacy is exaggerated. A few weeks ago, a reporter asked if I could just pick up the phone and get the President. I said I hoped not. And I certainly wouldn't try. If there is something that I want to bring to his attention, I can call somebody like Mike Deaver. But I can't imagine the circumstances that would make me call Reagan directly.

We've sat around in social situations. I've known him for years. But it would never occur to me to call him Ronnie now--though I did when we were on the S.A.G. board together. I call his wife Nancy, but I've known her longer. I've spent a lot of time with people of some significance and it's never occurred to me to try to increase the informality of our relationships.

Q 5

PLAYBOY: But you've been to the White House. How's the food? Ever get lost there?

Charlton Heston: By and large, the food's very good. I know the first floor and the ground floor reasonably well, but it is awfully easy to get lost. I spent most of my time there when I was working on the arts task force. They have a whole basement area of offices and it's very complicated geography. You say, "I have to go to the bathroom. Which way is it?" And someone says, "Go down the hall, turn right." If you take the wrong turn, you suddenly see this big guy asking, "Can I help you?" You don't get lost there for long.