Former Rep. Charlie Wilson of Texas to undergo heart transplant surgery

Former Democratic Rep. Charlie Wilson of Texas, the subject of an upcoming movie starring Tom Hanks, was in a Houston hospital Monday for a heart transplant.

Wilson, 74, represented Texas' 2nd District in the House from 1973-96. Charlie Schnabel Jr., who worked as Wilson's chief of staff, confirmed that Wilson was in Houston for the procedure but did not know his status.

"Charlie has had cardiomyopathy and had some very close calls with it. I talked to him a week or so ago and he told me he was going to get a heart," said Schnabel, who lives in Austin.

Hanks stars in the film "Charlie Wilson's War," based on a book by George Crile that chronicles Wilson's efforts to arm Afghani mujahedeen, then called "freedom fighters," during their war against the Soviet Union. A defense hawk and a member of the House Appropriations Committee, he helped secure money for weapons, including Stinger missiles.

Wilson was known as "Good Time Charlie" for his penchant for parties, gorgeous women and lots of mischief during his nearly 24 years in the House.

"I would remind you that I was not married at the time. I'm in a different place than I was in at the time and I don't apologize about that," he told The Associated Press in 2003.

The film, directed by Oscar-winner Mike Nichols, is scheduled for release at Christmas.