[Kelseecat65]

Eric Lawson, who portrayed the rugged Marlboro man in cigarette ads during the late 1970s, has died. He was 72.

Lawson died Jan. 10 at his home in San Luis Obispo of respiratory failure due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, his wife, Susan Lawson said Sunday.

Lawson was an actor with bit parts on such TV shows as "Baretta" and "The Streets of San Francisco" when he was hired to appear in print Marlboro ads from 1978 to 1981. His other credits include "Charlie's Angels," ''Dynasty" and "Baywatch." His wife said injuries sustained on the set of a Western film ended his career in 1997.

A smoker since age 14, Lawson later appeared in an anti-smoking commercial that parodied the Marlboro man and an "Entertainment Tonight" segment to discuss the negative effects of smoking. Susan said her husband was proud of the interview, even though he was smoking at the time and continued the habit until he was diagnosed with COPD.

"He knew the cigarettes had a hold on him," she said. "He knew, yet he still couldn't stop."

A few actors and models who pitched Marlboro brand cigarettes have died of smoking-related diseases. They include David Millar, who died of emphysema in 1987, and David McLean, who died of lung cancer in 1995.

Lawson was also survived by six children, 18 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.


http://news.yahoo.com/ex-marlboro-ma...034350253.html

[invertigo]

I'd thought the last Marlboro man died years ago
Philip Morris must pay their spokesmen a gigantic salary...

Anybody remember that big scandal R.J. Reynolds went through because the face of their mascot 'Joe Camel' looked like a penis and scrotum?

[el_topo]

No way? What a shocker

[bob351]

If only he hadn't smoked, for his life was cut so short. Shame when god takes the young ones away from us so soon.

[tbone79]

They had one of those signs down the left field line at my local AA teams field back in the early to mid 90's. I homered off the top of his hat during a Tryout....

[durt]

RIP MM

[Kelseecat65]

Originally Posted by bob351 ↗

If only he hadn't smoked, for his life was cut so short. Shame when god takes the young ones away from us so soon.

He could have had 20 more years...
Sometimes I think it's hit or miss. My stepdad has smoked since he was a teen, is 76 & never has been sick in his life.

[Megamel29]

Originally Posted by Kelseecat65 ↗

He could have had 20 more years...
Sometimes I think it's hit or miss. My stepdad has smoked since he was a teen, is 76 & never has been sick in his life.

Isn't it crazy how it goes sometimes? Some people can drink and smoke and live to be 90 and some people take care of themselves and die at 60. I guess sometimes it's just in their genes.

[bob351]

Its all genes, people die of cancer regardless of unhealthy lifestyles.

[bob351]

The best is some of our convenience stores have a sign that reads 1 in 2 long time smokers die...


I guess the other half gain immortality.