He may have risen to superstardom playing Moses in "The Ten Commandments" but US actor Charlton Heston, who died on Saturday at the age of 84, also made a name for himself and gained a bit of notoriety, preaching about people's inalienable rights.

The actor, an outspoken liberal Democrat during the 1960s who later attracted controversy for his unapologetic support of the National Rifle Association (NRA) and conservative causes, had been battling Alzheimer's.

"We knew him as an adoring husband, a kind and devoted father, and a gentle grandfather, with an infectious sense of humour. He served these far greater roles with tremendous faith, courage and dignity," the Heston family said.

Born John Charlton Carter on October 4, 1923 in Evanston, Illinois, Heston began his acting career with the Broadway show "Antony and Cleopatra".

He ventured successfully in to television in the 1950s, appearing in "Macbeth", "Jane Eyre" and "Wuthering Heights" among other classics.

In a career that spanned half a century, Heston made 62 films.

He was famed for his heroic roles and portrayal of historical figures ranging from Moses to Michelangelo.

"I've played cardinals and cowboys, kings and quarterbacks, presidents and painters, cops and conmen," he once said, summing up the myriad roles he has played.

Though he was perhaps at his best in blockbuster epics such as "Ben-Hur" and "The Ten Commandments", Heston also mastered the science-fiction genre with roles in films such as the 1960s cult classic "Planet of the Apes".

He won the best actor Oscar in 1959 for "Ben-Hur" as well as awards from more than 20 other countries.

Heston was an avid civil rights activist who marched alongside Martin Luther King Jr during the 1963 March in Washington. He was also a gun enthusiast, serving as a four-term president of the NRA gun lobbying group who declared that anyone seeking to take away his rifle would have to "pry it from my cold, dead hands".

Following a bout with prostate cancer, he issued a statement in August 2002 acknowledging that he had symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, saying: "For an actor, there is no greater loss than the loss of his audience. I can part the Red Sea, but I can't part with you, which is why I won't exclude you from this stage of my life."

Heston is survived by his wife of 64 years, Lydia, their two children and three grandchildren.

AFP, Los Angeles

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Charlton Heston

>> Won the best actor Oscar in 1959 for Ben-Hur.

>> Marched with Martin Luther King Jr during 1963's civil rights movement.

>> Was six-term president of the Screen Actors Guild.

>> Was four-term president of the National Rifle Association.

>> Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2003.

>> Won the Jean Hersholt Award in 1977 for his humanitarian work.