The Eye

Born John Charles Carter in Evanston, Illinois, on 4 October 1924, and who went on to win a best actor Oscar for his starring role in the epic Ben Hur, and better known as Charlton Heston,  has died, aged 84, a spokesman for the star’s family has said.

He died on Saturday at his home in Beverly Hills with his wife Lydia

, whom he married in 1944, at his side.

Long time president of the National Rifle Association (NRA), he stepped down in 2003, citing ill-health.

The previous year, he had revealed he had symptoms consistent with Alzheimer’s disease.