Screen legend Charlton Heston has died at the age of 84. The actor passed away at his home in Beverly Hills last night with Lydia, his wife of 64 years, by his side.

Heston had been battling Alzheimer's disease since 2002. After being diagnosed, he had said: "I must reconcile courage and surrender in equal measure."

A statement from the Heston family praised the actor for taking on every role with "passion". It went on to say: "We knew him as an adoring husband, a kind and devoted father, and a gentle grandfather, with an infectious sense of humour. He served these far greater roles with tremendous faith, courage and dignity."

Heston made 62 films in his lifetime, including The Greatest Show On Earth in 1952, Planet of the Apes in 1968 and The Omega Man in 1971. He was best known for taking on heroic roles, including Moses in 1956 film The Ten Commandments and Judah Ben-Hur in 1959 epic Ben-Hur, for which he received a Best Leading Actor Academy Award.

In his later career, he starred in television soap operas Dynasty and The Colbys.

More recently, he had been known for his political activism. He regularly spoke about his right-wing views and in 1998, he became president of the National Rifle Association, continuing in the role until 2003.

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