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| Ben-Hur star Charlton Heston dies | Ben-Hur star Charlton Heston dies |
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| Charlton Heston, who won a best actor Oscar for his starring role in the epic Ben-Hur, has died aged 84, a spokesman for his 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 his family has said. |
| Heston died on Saturday at his home in Beverly Hills. His wife Lydia, whom he married in 1944, was at his side. | Heston died on Saturday at his home in Beverly Hills. His wife Lydia, whom he married in 1944, was at his side. |
| Heston also portrayed Michelangelo, El Cid and other heroic figures in Hollywood films of the 1950s and 1960s. | |
| He stepped down as president of US gun lobby, the National Rifle Association, in 2003, citing ill-health. | |
| The previous year, he had revealed he had symptoms consistent with Alzheimer's disease. | The previous year, he had revealed he had symptoms consistent with Alzheimer's disease. |
| Defining roles | Defining roles |
| Heston was born John Charles Carter in Evanston, Illinois. | Heston was born John Charles Carter in Evanston, Illinois. |
| No man could have given more to his family, to his profession, and to his country Heston family statement Obituary: Charlton HestonIn pictures: Life of epic starYour tributes | No man could have given more to his family, to his profession, and to his country Heston family statement Obituary: Charlton HestonIn pictures: Life of epic starYour tributes |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | Four years later, he appeared as Moses in The Ten Commandments, one of the roles which would define his career. |
| After the success of the science fiction film Planet of the Apes in the late 1960s, Heston turned his attention to working in the theatre. | After the success of the science fiction film Planet of the Apes in the late 1960s, Heston turned his attention to working in the theatre. |
| 'Larger than life' | 'Larger than life' |
| Although later identified with traditionally conservative causes, Charlton Heston had been a vocal supporter of Martin Luther King and the 1960s Civil Rights movement. | Although later identified with traditionally conservative causes, Charlton Heston had been a vocal supporter of Martin Luther King and the 1960s Civil Rights movement. |
| He also served as president of the Screen Actors Guild and was chairman of the American Film Institute. | He also served as president of the Screen Actors Guild and was chairman of the American Film Institute. |
| In a statement, his family said: "To his loving friends, colleagues and fans, we appreciate your heartfelt prayers and support. | In a statement, his family said: "To his loving friends, colleagues and fans, we appreciate your heartfelt prayers and support. |
| "Charlton Heston was seen by the world as larger than life. | "Charlton Heston was seen by the world as larger than life. |
| "No one could ask for a fuller life than his. No man could have given more to his family, to his profession, and to his country. | "No one could ask for a fuller life than his. No man could have given more to his family, to his profession, and to his country. |
| "In his own words, 'I have lived such a wonderful life. I've lived enough for two people'." | "In his own words, 'I have lived such a wonderful life. I've lived enough for two people'." |
| His former publicist Michael Levine, who worked with Heston for 20 years, told Associated Press the actor's passing represented the end of an iconic era for cinema. | His former publicist Michael Levine, who worked with Heston for 20 years, told Associated Press the actor's passing represented the end of an iconic era for cinema. |
| "If Hollywood had a Mount Rushmore, Heston's face would be on it. He was a heroic figure that I don't think exists to the same degree in Hollywood today." | "If Hollywood had a Mount Rushmore, Heston's face would be on it. He was a heroic figure that I don't think exists to the same degree in Hollywood today." |
| 'Big screen hero' | 'Big screen hero' |
| Heston was better known for his political career in later yearsFormer first lady Nancy Reagan, a Hollywood actress in the 1950s, said she was heartbroken to hear of Heston's death. | Heston was better known for his political career in later yearsFormer first lady Nancy Reagan, a Hollywood actress in the 1950s, said she was heartbroken to hear of Heston's death. |
| "I will never forget Chuck as a hero on the big screen in the roles he played, but more importantly I considered him a hero in life for the many times that he stepped up to support Ronnie in whatever he was doing," she said. | "I will never forget Chuck as a hero on the big screen in the roles he played, but more importantly I considered him a hero in life for the many times that he stepped up to support Ronnie in whatever he was doing," she said. |
| British director Mike Leigh told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show that Heston's greatest role was in 1958's Touch of Evil, directed by Orson Welles. | British director Mike Leigh told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show that Heston's greatest role was in 1958's Touch of Evil, directed by Orson Welles. |
| "To me, his greatest single achievement, was not only that he did probably his best performance in Touch of Evil, is that he suggested Orson Welles," he said. | "To me, his greatest single achievement, was not only that he did probably his best performance in Touch of Evil, is that he suggested Orson Welles," he said. |
| "And they decided to turn his character, who was a regular guy, into a Mexican. I think it was his most interesting and off-beat performance." | "And they decided to turn his character, who was a regular guy, into a Mexican. I think it was his most interesting and off-beat performance." |
| Heston's family said a private memorial service would be held. | Heston's family said a private memorial service would be held. |