Legendary U.S. actor Charlton Heston, who portrayed Moses, Michelangelo, El Cid and other heroic figures during his Oscar-award winning career, has died at the age of 84.

Heston's family said in a statement the actor died Saturday night at his home in Los Angeles, with his wife Lydia at his side. Heston had revealed in 2002 that he was suffering from symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

Heston was a Hollywood icon best known for his performance in the 1959 epic "Ben Hur." He played dozens of fictional and historical heroes in other acclaimed and successful films such as "The 10 Commandments," "Planet of the Apes" and "El Cid."

The actor also achieved prominence as president of the influential U.S. lobbying group, the National Rifle Association. He was elected to the position in 1998 and held the job for five years.