Charlton Heston, the giant of the movie industry who is best-known for his larger-than-life roles as some of history's extraordinary men, has died at the age of 84.

The star, who in his distinguished film career played the part of Moses, Michelangelo and John the Baptist, passed away at his home in Beverly Hills, California, on Saturday night with his wife of 64 years, Lydia, at his side.

Tributes flooded in yesterday for the devout Christian who won the 1959 best actor Oscar for Ben-Hur, playing the fictional lead role of a chariot-racing Jewish prince-turned-slave, and went on to become the face of American gun rights as the former head of the National Rifle Association as well as an active supporter of the civil rights movement.

He is survived by his wife, their son Fraser Clarke Heston and their adopted daughter, Holly Ann Heston, who paid tribute to the screen legend in a moving statement.

"To his loving friends, colleagues and fans, we appreciate your heartfelt prayers and support," it 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'."

Publicist Michael Levine, who represented Heston for about 20 years, said the actor's passing represented the end of an iconic era for cinema.

"If Hollywood had a Mount Rushmore, Heston's face would be on it," Mr Levine said. "He was a heroic figure that I don't think exists to the same degree in Hollywood today."

President George W Bush, who gave Heston the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2003, described Heston as "a man of character and integrity, with a big heart".

"Laura and I are saddened by the death of our friend, Charlton Heston," he said. "Charlton Heston was one of the most successful actors in movie history and a strong advocate for liberty.

"Widely acclaimed for his long, award-winning film career, he also had a profound impact off the screen.

"He served his country during World War Two, marched in the civil rights movement, led a labour union, and vigorously defended Americans' Second Amendment rights.

"Our prayers are with his wife Lydia and the entire family during this difficult time."

Former first lady and actress Nancy Reagan said Heston was a "hero" on and off the screen. "I will never forget Chuck as a hero on the big screen in the roles he played, but more importantly I considered him a hero in life for the many times he stepped up to support Ronnie in whatever he was doing," she said.

Although he fought prostate cancer, Heston revealed in 2002 that he had symptoms consistent with Alzheimer's Disease, saying: "I must reconcile courage and surrender in equal measure."

Born John Charles Carter on October 4, 1923, in Evanston, Illinois, he grew up in Michigan and took a combination of his mother's maiden name and his stepfather's last name after his parents were divorced in the early 1930s.

His first foray in drama was while in high school after his family moved to Chicago, pursuing an acting scholarship at Northwestern University where he met Lydia Marie Clarke, who was also a drama student there. They were married on March 17, 1944.

Characterised by a stocky build and booming voice, the imposing 6ft 3in actor's Hollywood breakthrough came in Dark City in 1950, one of more than 100 films in which he appeared.

Heston lent his strong presence to some of the most acclaimed and successful films of the mid-century. Ben-Hur, made in 1959, was the most feted, claiming an unprecedented 11 Academy Awards. His other hits included The Ten Commandments, El Cid, 55 Days at Peking, Planet of the Apes and Earthquake.

A leading man on the screen, Heston was a leader in Hollywood as well, heading the Screen Actors Guild and chairing the American Film Institute. A Democrat who supported civil rights, John F Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr in the early 1960s, Heston, like his friend Ronald Reagan, became conservative.

Near the end of his film career, he headed the National Rifle Association, from 1998 to 2003. He stepped down from the role citing ill-health. During his five years, he attacked then-President Bill Clinton, saying: "America doesn't trust you with our 21-year-old daughters, and we sure, Lord, don't trust you with our guns."