Claude Heater, Actor Who Played Faceless Jesus in Ben-Hur, Dies at 92
Claude Heater, the famed opera singer who appeared with his face unseen as Jesus Christ in William Wyler's epic 1959 Ben-Hur, has died. He was 92.
A noted Wagnerian tenor, Heater died May 28 at St. Mary's Medical Center in San Francisco of natural causes after a long illness, according to an announcement on his foundation website.
While performing in Rome, Heater was spotted by Ben-Hur production manager Henry Henigson, who was struck by the singer's "magnificent" voice and "beautiful spiritual face," Hollywood gossip columnist Louella Parsons wrote in 1958.
Heater was then tested and hired to play Jesus in the MGM feature. "Now here is the strange part: They had to go to Europe to find this boy, who was born in Oakland, California," Parsons wrote.
"Mainly, they were interested in hands. They wanted strong, but sensitive, hands," Heater said in 1992. During production, he noted that "there were people on the set who would see me, drop to one knee and make the sign of Christ."
As filming progressed, Heater was given more time in front of the camera and a few lines, but British law at the time forbid Jesus to speak or his face to be seen if he were a "secondary character." So, Heater as Jesus appears only from behind, as when he gives water to Charlton Heston's enslaved Judah Ben-Hur.
In the 1993 documentary "Ben-Hur: The Making of an Epic," Heater is shown front and center in a costume test photo.
In 2003, Heater and Heston reunited at a screening at the Motion Picture Academy in Los Angeles, the last two remaining actors from the film, winner of 11 Oscars, including best picture.
Tags : Claude Heater Claude Heater dies Claude Heater death Claude Heater ben-hur Claude Heater jesus
Hot Trends
-
Travis Cottrell, Beth Moore, Fisk Jubilee Singers & More Pay their Respects at Mandisa's Funeral
-
Watch Colton Dixon, Danny Gokey and Melinda Doolittle Pay Tribute to Mandisa on "American Idol"
-
"American Idol" to Air Live Tribute to Mandisa
-
Local Police Offers Update on Mandisa's Death
-
"She Did Not Die from Self-Harm:" Father of the Late Mandisa Claims
-
Beth Moore & Christine Caine Surround Dallas Hospital with Prayer During Priscilla Shirer's Lung Surgery
-
for King and Country's "Unsung Hero" a Big Success at the Box Office
-
Phil Wickham Celebrates His 15th Wedding Anniversary with "Just Too Good"
-
The Tragic End of Kingdom Heir's Founder Steve French
-
Chad Gentry Brings Back the Legacy of 90s Worship with New Album, Docuseries and Live Events
-
Is Taylor Swift a Christian?
-
7 Things to Know About Phil Wickham's "Hymn of Heaven"
-
New Documentary "Multiplied" Explores the Question: Is Worldwide Evangelism Dead?
-
Duck Dynasty Star, Willie Robertson, Releases New Book "Gospeler"
-
Point of Grace Inducted Into South Carolina Entertainment and Music Hall of Fame
Most Popular
-
Travis Cottrell, Beth Moore, Fisk Jubilee Singers & More Pay their Respects at Mandisa's Funeral
-
Watch Colton Dixon, Danny Gokey and Melinda Doolittle Pay Tribute to Mandisa on "American Idol"
-
"American Idol" to Air Live Tribute to Mandisa
-
Local Police Offers Update on Mandisa's Death
-
"She Did Not Die from Self-Harm:" Father of the Late Mandisa Claims
-
Beth Moore & Christine Caine Surround Dallas Hospital with Prayer During Priscilla Shirer's Lung Surgery
-
for King and Country's "Unsung Hero" a Big Success at the Box Office
-
Phil Wickham Celebrates His 15th Wedding Anniversary with "Just Too Good"
-
The Tragic End of Kingdom Heir's Founder Steve French
-
Chad Gentry Brings Back the Legacy of 90s Worship with New Album, Docuseries and Live Events
-
Is Taylor Swift a Christian?
-
7 Things to Know About Phil Wickham's "Hymn of Heaven"
-
New Documentary "Multiplied" Explores the Question: Is Worldwide Evangelism Dead?
-
Duck Dynasty Star, Willie Robertson, Releases New Book "Gospeler"
-
Point of Grace Inducted Into South Carolina Entertainment and Music Hall of Fame