1959 was quite the year for Charlton Heston and his family. Not only did the prominent actor win an Oscar for starring in the title role of the epic film Ben-Hur, but the Hestons moved into the splendid midcentury modern dream house they’d hired architect William S. Beckett to design in the Coldwater Canyon neighborhood of Beverly Hills. Now, seven years after Heston’s death, his home is for sale with an asking price of $12,249,000.

The 9,667-square-foot, five-bedroom, six-bath house is situated on three-plus walled and gated acres, on a knoll with mountain views from almost every window. The interior of the main house has an open main living area with an office on the balcony above that overlooks the two-story library that once contained the family’s extensive book collection.

There is a formal dining room, a marble bar and the master suite with fireplace, separate his-and-her baths and walk-in closets.

Also on the property is a three-story artist’s studio accessed via elevator, which also contains a screening room, bedroom, bath and observation deck. The grounds include parking for ten cars, a swimming pool,

and tennis court,

plus a built-in barbecue, mature landscaping and a meditation area. But no chariot track or shooting range.

Although Heston is a Hollywood legend, having starred in such classics as in such classics as Antony and Cleopatra (1947), The Ten Commandments (1956), Ben-Hur (1959) and Planet of the Apes (1968), in his later years he is perhaps best known for his conservative politics. He served as president of the National Rifle Association and campaigned for GOP congressional and presidential candidates. In 2003, President George W. Bush awarded Heston the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his contributions to film and politics.  Interestingly enough, in his younger years, Heston was a Democrat.

Heston and his wife Lydia were married for 64 years by the time he died at the age of 84. They lived in the home for almost 50 years. This is the first time it’s been on the market since it was built. TopTenRealEstateDeals.com recently listed the estate as one of their Weekly Ten Best Home Deals.

Charlton Heston Home for Sale: The House That Ben-Hur Built