Charleton Heston, the legendary actor, author, Hollywood labor leader and gun advocate, died Saturday at the age of 84.
Heston played some of the largest roles in film history, and played them well. He was probably know best for his role in Ben Hur, El Cid and Moses in the epic "The Ten Commandments." For his role in Ben Hur, Heston won an Academy Award.
The 15-minute scene in Ben Hur where he raced in a chariot drawn by four white horses is considered one of the greatest action sequences in film history.
Liberal Hollywood came to hate Heston and much of what he stood for, and blasted him when he became president of the National Rifle Association. His famous speech, which in itself has become legendary challenged those attacking to pry a flintlock rifle he raised over his head "from my cold, dead hands."
Heston was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2002, and a year later he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Along with the accomplishments above, Heston was also a best-selling author, president of the Screen Actors Guild and chairman of the American Film Institute.
He and his wife Lydia were married for 64 years, and she was at his bedside when he passed away. Along with Lydia he is survived by his son Fraser Clarke and daughter Holly Rochell, and three grandchildren.
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