Charlton Heston Dies at 84

According to People.com, Oscar winner Charlton Heston died Saturday night, April 5, 2008, at his home in Beverley Hills. He was 84 years old. A statement from the Heston family states that his wife of 64 years, Lydia, was at his side when he died. In 2002, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

Heston is well known for his movie roles including the lead role in Ben-Hur (1959), Moses in The Ten Commandments (1956), and Brad Braden in The Greatest Show on Earth (1952).

Besides playing the lead character, Heston is known for his deep voice. He leaped over to animated movies by using his voice as the narrator in Walt Disney's Hercules and the voice in the 2003 animated version of Ben-Hur. Heston was also the narrator in the 1998 film Armageddon and the 1996 film The Dark Mist.

Heston has a long list of awards and nominations under his belt. He won an Oscar in 1960 for Best Actor in a Leading Role, and was nominated for three Emmys. IMDB.com lists My Father, Rua Alguem 5555 (2003) as Heston's last movie.

Outside of film, Heston was an advocate for gun rights. In fact, he was president of the National Rifle Association (NRA). He stepped down in 2003 because of Alzheimer's disease.

In an article from The Press Association, Heston's family said, "Charlton Heston was seen by the world as larger than life. He was known for his chiseled jaw, broad shoulders and resonating voice, and, of course, for the roles he played."