What can you tell me about the actress who played Esther opposite Charlton Heston in “Ben-Hur”?
—Martin Evans, Bardstown, Kentucky
That’s Israeli actress Haya Harareet, 82, who was born in Haifa, Palestine, and made about 10 films between 1955 and 1964. Her movie credits include “Hill 24 Doesn’t Answer,” “The Doll That Took the Town,” “Journey Beneath the Desert,” “The Secret Partner” and “The Interns.” Married to British director Jack Clayton until his death in 1995, she co-wrote the screenplay to the 1967 movie “Our Mother’s House.” Best known for her role in “Ben-Hur,” she is the only surviving main cast member.
