( CNN ) - Actor Charlton Heston died at Beverly Hills home at the age of 84 Saturday, his family said.
Heston was suffering the late stages of Alzheimer's Disease.
Heston, known for portrayals of historical figures including Moses and Ben Hur, was suffering the late stages of Alzheimer's Disease.
Heston's wife of 64 years, Lydia, was by his side at the time of his death, according to the family statement.
Heston is survived by a son, a daughter and three grandchildren.
"We knew him as an adoring husband, a kind and devoted father, and a gentle grandfather, with an infectious sense of humor," the family said. "He served these far greater roles with tremendous faith, courage and dignity. He loved deeply, and he was deeply loved."
While no funeral plans have been announced, the family said it would hold a private memorial service.
The Internet Movie Database listed 126 movies and television production credits for Heston, starting in 1941. He rose to fame in the 1950s with starring movie roles including Ben Hur and the Ten Commandments -- in which he played Moses.
Heston's last acting credit was for playing an elderly Josef Mengele, the Auschwitz Nazi surgeon who performed medical experiments on concentration camp refugees during World War II in the 2003 movie My Father, Rua Alguem 5555.