25 Celebs We’ve Lost to Smoking

Smoking related disease has taken a heavy toll on entertainment and media. Lung cancer, throat and esophageal cancers, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are all illnesses strongly tied to long term tobacco use. The names below include actors, musicians, directors, broadcasters, and public figures whose deaths were linked to smoking or to conditions widely associated with it.

Each entry includes concise facts about the person’s career along with the circumstances of their illness and passing. Dates, ages, and roles are included where helpful, and any film or television titles appear in single quotes to keep things clear and consistent.

Yul Brynner

Yul Brynner died on October 10 1985 at age 65 from lung cancer after decades of heavy cigarette use. He recorded a message that aired after his death warning viewers not to smoke and explaining that his illness was tied to years of tobacco.

Brynner was a stage and screen star best known for ‘The King and I’ and also appeared in films like ‘The Ten Commandments’ and ‘Westworld’. He continued to work while undergoing treatment and spoke openly about his diagnosis to encourage prevention.

Walt Disney

Walt Disney died on December 15 1966 at age 65 from complications of lung cancer. He was a longtime smoker of unfiltered cigarettes and kept the habit largely out of public view at his studio.

Disney produced and oversaw films such as ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ and ‘Mary Poppins’ and expanded into television with programs like ‘The Mickey Mouse Club’. After his diagnosis he underwent surgery and treatment, but his condition worsened in the final weeks of his life.

Leonard Nimoy

Leonard Nimoy died on February 27 2015 at age 83 from end stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He had quit smoking decades earlier but said the damage from years of the habit led to his illness.

Nimoy portrayed Spock on ‘Star Trek’ across television and films and later directed several features. He used interviews and social media late in life to remind fans that quitting is essential and that COPD can develop long after someone stops.

Peter Jennings

Peter Jennings died on August 7 2005 at age 67 from lung cancer. He had been a former smoker who resumed the habit following the September 11 attacks and announced his diagnosis on air in April 2005.

Jennings anchored ‘World News Tonight’ for ABC and reported from conflict zones and major world capitals. He continued to work for several months after treatment began and used his platform to describe the realities of the disease.

Nat King Cole

Nat King Cole died on February 15 1965 at age 45 from lung cancer. He was known to keep up a steady smoking routine that he believed helped maintain his distinctive voice.

Cole recorded hit albums and hosted ‘The Nat King Cole Show’ on television, becoming one of the first Black performers to front a national series. He underwent surgery and radiation in the months before his death and performed in public appearances during treatment.

Johnny Carson

Johnny Carson died on January 23 2005 at age 79 from complications of emphysema. Tobacco use was common on set early in his career and he later spoke about the health effects he experienced.

Carson hosted ‘The Tonight Show’ for three decades and shaped the modern late night format. He kept a low profile after retirement but maintained contact with colleagues while receiving care for his lung disease.

George Harrison

George Harrison died on November 29 2001 at age 58 from lung cancer. He had previously been treated for throat cancer and spoke about the role smoking played in his health history.

As a member of The Beatles and a solo artist he contributed to landmark recordings and films such as ‘A Hard Day’s Night’. Harrison sought treatment in the United States in his final year and spent time with family and friends in private settings.

Humphrey Bogart

Humphrey Bogart died on January 14 1957 at age 57 from esophageal cancer after operations and radiation therapy. He was a longtime smoker and often appeared with a cigarette in publicity stills.

Bogart starred in classics such as ‘Casablanca’ and ‘The Maltese Falcon’ and worked with directors like John Huston on multiple films. His illness progressed rapidly in his final year and he reduced public appearances while convalescing at home.

Desi Arnaz

Desi Arnaz died on December 2 1986 at age 69 from lung cancer. He frequently smoked both cigarettes and cigars and underwent treatment near his home in California.

Arnaz co created and starred in ‘I Love Lucy’ and pioneered the three camera sitcom format on film. He built a major production company and continued to develop television projects while managing health issues late in life.

Betty Grable

Betty Grable died on July 2 1973 at age 56 from lung cancer. She had a long smoking history that predated her Hollywood success and continued after she moved into stage work.

Grable appeared in musicals and comedies and headlined films like ‘How to Marry a Millionaire’. She performed in Las Vegas and on tour in the years leading up to her diagnosis and remained active while receiving care.

Dean Martin

Dean Martin died on December 25 1995 at age 78 from acute respiratory failure related to emphysema. He was known to smoke for many years both on and off camera.

Martin hosted ‘The Dean Martin Show’ on television and performed in films and recordings with the Rat Pack. Health problems reduced his public schedule in the 1990s and he spent his final months with family.

John Huston

John Huston died on August 28 1987 at age 81 from pneumonia complicated by emphysema. He was a heavy smoker and required supplemental oxygen during some later productions.

Huston directed ‘The Maltese Falcon’ and ‘The African Queen’ and acted in films while continuing to write and paint. He worked into his eighties and completed projects from his home and from hospital settings as needed.

Wayne McLaren

Wayne McLaren died on July 22 1992 at age 51 from lung cancer. He had posed as a Marlboro Man in advertising during the 1970s and later became a public advocate warning about smoking risks.

McLaren testified at hearings and appeared in public service announcements describing his diagnosis. He emphasized the connection between his past marketing work and his illness and urged restrictions on tobacco advertising.

David McLean

David McLean died on October 12 1995 at age 73 from lung cancer. He worked as a Marlboro Man model and actor and was open about the years he spent smoking during his career.

McLean appeared in television series and films and later spoke to students about tobacco dangers. He sought medical treatment over several years and connected his illness to prolonged exposure to cigarettes.

Eric Lawson

Eric Lawson died on January 10 2014 at age 72 from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He portrayed a Marlboro Man in print and television ads and later participated in anti smoking messages.

Lawson discussed his respiratory symptoms in interviews to highlight how COPD affects daily life. He encouraged current smokers to seek help quitting and to watch for early signs of lung disease.

Jim Varney

Jim Varney died on February 10 2000 at age 50 from lung cancer. He was a longtime smoker who pursued treatment while continuing to work on set and in voice roles.

Varney starred as the Ernest character in films such as ‘Ernest Goes to Camp’ and voiced Slinky Dog in ‘Toy Story’. He completed projects while undergoing therapy and spent time with family during hospice care.

Suzanne Pleshette

Suzanne Pleshette died on January 19 2008 at age 70 from respiratory failure due to lung cancer. She had been candid about smoking earlier in her life and underwent chemotherapy and surgery.

Pleshette starred on ‘The Bob Newhart Show’ and appeared in films and miniseries throughout the 1970s and 1980s. She returned to work after initial treatment and later received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame shortly before her passing.

Sammy Davis Jr.

Sammy Davis Jr. died on May 16 1990 at age 64 from complications of throat cancer. He was a heavy smoker for many years and faced a difficult course of treatment near the end of his life.

Davis performed on stage and screen and appeared on television specials and variety programs including ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’. He continued to rehearse and make appearances during treatment and stayed active in charitable events.

Robert Mitchum

Robert Mitchum died on July 1 1997 at age 79 from complications of lung cancer and emphysema. He smoked for decades and received care at home while his condition progressed.

Mitchum headlined films such as ‘Out of the Past’ and ‘Cape Fear’ and worked in television later in his career. He reduced public engagements during treatment and focused on family in the months before his death.

Edward R. Murrow

Edward R. Murrow died on April 27 1965 at age 57 from lung cancer. He was known to smoke on camera during live broadcasts and often kept a cigarette in hand while reporting.

Murrow anchored programs like ‘See It Now’ and covered major events from London during World War II. After his diagnosis he underwent surgery and spoke privately with colleagues about the role smoking played in his illness.

Peter Fonda

Peter Fonda died on August 16 2019 at age 79 from respiratory failure due to lung cancer. He had a history of smoking and pursued treatment as the disease advanced.

Fonda co wrote and starred in ‘Easy Rider’ and appeared in films and television over five decades. He continued to engage with fans and the film community during his final year and shared updates through family statements.

Ed Sullivan

Ed Sullivan died on October 13 1974 at age 73 from esophageal cancer. He had a long history of smoking and underwent treatment in New York while stepping away from public life.

Sullivan hosted ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ for more than two decades and introduced wide audiences to performers including The Beatles and Elvis Presley. His final months were spent with family while receiving care for complications of the disease.

John Mahoney

John Mahoney died on February 4 2018 at age 77 from complications of throat cancer. He had been a heavy smoker earlier in life and sought treatment several years before his passing.

Mahoney portrayed Martin Crane on ‘Frasier’ and worked in theater and voice acting between television seasons. He continued to take select roles while in treatment and remained involved with Chicago stage productions.

Larry Hagman

Larry Hagman died on November 23 2012 at age 81 from complications of throat cancer. He had a long history of tobacco use and was filming the revived ‘Dallas’ series while undergoing care.

Hagman became famous as J R Ewing on ‘Dallas’ and later starred in other television projects. He participated in health campaigns later in life and spoke about the importance of early screening and quitting smoking.

Christopher Hitchens

Christopher Hitchens died on December 15 2011 at age 62 from esophageal cancer. He was a lifelong heavy smoker and wrote about his diagnosis and treatment while continuing to publish.

Hitchens contributed essays and books and appeared on television and lecture circuits. He documented his experience with cancer in print to inform readers about the course of the illness and the impact of smoking over time.

Share your thoughts and any other names we should remember in the comments.