The term BEN-HUR STAR refers to two actors who starred in the 1959 epic film Ben-Hur. Charlton Heston played the title role of Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince from Judea who is enslaved by the Romans and seeks revenge. Francis X. Bushman played Messala, the Roman commander who enslaves Ben-Hur. Both actors were well known for their roles in the film, with Heston winning an Academy Award for Best Actor and Bushman being nominated for Best Supporting Actor.