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Ben Hur star Charlton Heston dies Ben Hur star Charlton Heston dies
(10 minutes later)
Charlton Heston, who won a best actor Oscar for his starring role in the epic Ben Hur has died, aged 84, a spokesman for the star's family has said.Charlton Heston, who won a best actor Oscar for his starring role in the epic Ben Hur has died, aged 84, a spokesman for the star's family has said.
Heston died on Saturday at his home in Beverly Hills with his wife Lydia at his side. Heston died on Saturday at his home in Beverly Hills with his wife Lydia, whom he married in 1944, at his side.
Heston also portrayed Michelangelo, El Cid and other heroic figures in movie epics of the 1950s and 1960s.Heston also portrayed Michelangelo, El Cid and other heroic figures in movie epics of the 1950s and 1960s.
He stepped down as president of US gun lobby, the National Rifle Association (NRA), in 2003, citing ill-health.He stepped down as president of US gun lobby, the National Rifle Association (NRA), in 2003, citing ill-health.
The previous year, he had revealed he had symptoms consistent with Alzheimer's disease.
Heston was born John Charles Carter in Evanston, Illinois, on 4 October 1924.
He studied acting before serving for three years in the US Air Force. But back in civilian life, Heston went through hard times, while waiting for his first break.
In 1952, after working on Broadway, Heston starred as the ringmaster in the movie The Greatest Show on Earth.
Four years later, he appeared as Moses in The Ten Commandments, one of the roles which would define his career.