Charlton Heston Dies at 84

Oscar-winning U.S. actor Charlton Heston, whose chiseled features and commanding presence won him epic roles from Moses to Michelangelo and became the face of American gun rights, died on Saturday night at age 84.
Heston died at his home in Beverly Hills, California, with wife Lydia at his side, the family said in a statement. Heston, who won the 1959 best actor Oscar for the title role in "Ben-Hur" in which he did many of his own chariot race stunts, had announced in 2002 that he was suffering symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
"Charlton Heston was seen by the world as larger than life," the family said. "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."'
The family said a private memorial service would be held.
In his acting heyday, Heston's rugged features and conservative lifestyle seemed to belong to another age. As director Anthony Mann said: "Put a toga on him and he looks perfect." Frank Sinatra once joked: "That guy Heston has to watch it. If he's not careful, he'll get actors a good name."
"He believed the sanctity of American freedom was defined by the Bill of Rights and the Bill of Rights was what made the United States different from every country in the world. President George W. Bush said in a statement, "He served his country during World War Two, marched in the civil rights movement, led a labor union, and vigorously defended Americans' Second Amendment rights. He was a man of character and integrity, with a big heart."
In the 1950s and 1960s Heston worked in the civil rights movement and he was a six-term president of the Screen Actors Guild. Heston was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Bush in 2003. I still remember the days when i first saw your movie entitled "The Forbidden Treasure", that movie is one of my favorites. I just want to say thank you for all the movies that you had created and shared to us. You are really a great actor.