Legendary screen actor Charlton Heston died last night at his home in Beverly Hills with his wife Lydia at his side. He was 84.

Though no cause of death was given at this time, Heston was in remission from prostate cancer and had suffered from Alzheimer’s-related symptoms.

In his 60-year acting career, Heston appeared in over 100 films. He began his professional acting career in the 1950s, quickly becoming a screen legend with his portrayal of biblical and historical figures in such epics as The Ten Commandments (as Moses), The Greatest Story Ever Told (as John The Baptist), and the 11-time Academy Award winner Ben-Hur (in his Oscar-winning performance as the title character).

In 1968, Heston became a cult icon with his portrayal of stranded astronaut George Taylor in the futuristic science fiction classic Planet of the Apes.

Aside from his extensive acting credits, Heston served as president of the Screen Actors Guild and chairman of the American Film Institute. He was a strong civil rights supporter in the 1960s, and spoke out frequently on conservative issues. He also more popularly served as president of the National Rifle Association and is famously remembered as saying that the only way his gun would be taken from him is “from my cold, dead hands.” In 2003, he was presented with a Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush.

Born John Charles Carter on October 4, 1924, the actor used his mother’s maiden name (Charlton) and his stepfather’s surname (Heston) as his professional pseudonym. He is survived by his wife Lydia of 64 years, their two children, and two grandchildren.

[Source: AP]