Tobacco smoking often leads to serious health conditions and diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. The American Heart Association reports that smoking is the main culprit behind preventable diseases and deaths in the United States. Statistics such as these aren't always enough to convince people to stop smoking though. Recognizing a few young celebrities that died from smoking puts a face on the statistics and brings to light the reality of habitual tobacco use.
John Candy
Television and film comedian and actor John Candy, who starred in movies, such as "Splash," "The Blues Brothers," "Spaceballs" and "Planes, Trains and Automobiles," died of a heart attack in his sleep at age 50 on March 4, 1994 in Durango, Mexico where he was shooting a film.
Nat "King" Cole
Famous singer and musician known for hits such as "Mona Lisa" and "Unforgettable," Nat "King" Cole died at age 45, after lung cancer surgery on Feb. 15, 1965.
Jimmy Dorsey
Big-band musician and bandleader Jimmy Dorsey died from lung cancer at age 53 on June 12, 1957. He's legendary for famous songs such as, "Tangerine" and "Green Eyes." Dorsey was also in "Ripley's Believe It or Not" for playing "Flight of the Bumblebee" in two breaths.
Errol Flynn
Renown actor Errol Flynn died at age 50 from a heart attack on Oct. 14, 1959. He was famous for movies such as "Robin Hood" and "Captain Blood." Before his acting career, Flynn had been in charge of a New Guinea tobacco plantation.
Susan Hayward
Academy award-winning actress Susan Hayward died at age 55 on March 14, 1975 from lung cancer, which had also metastasized to her brain. She was known for her leading roles in several films, such as "I'll Cry Tomorrow" and "I Want to Live!"
Judy Holliday
Singer and actress Judy Holliday died at age 43 from throat cancer on June 7, 1965. She was known for her acting roles in movies, such as "Born Yesterday" and "The Marrying Kind."
Michael Landon
Actor Michael Landon died at age 54 from pancreatic and liver cancer on July 1, 1991. Landon had smoked four packs of cigarettes a day. He was best known for his roles in television shows, such as "Bonanza" and "Little House on the Prairie," as well as his role in the 1957 film "I Was a Teenage Werewolf."
Lee Remick
Stage and film actress Lee Remick died at age 55 from lung and liver cancer on July 2, 1991. She is famous for her roles in movies, such as "Days of Wine and Roses," "The Long Hot Summer" and "Anatomy of a Murder."
Babe Ruth
Legendary baseball great and home run champ Babe Ruth died from oral cancer at age 53 on Aug. 16, 1948.
Carl Wilson
Musician and founding member of the Beach Boys, Carl Wilson died from lung cancer complications at age 51 on Feb. 6, 1998. Wilson is best known for his "strong, soulful, and angelic voice," heard in songs like "Good Vibrations" and "God Only Knows," says the Beach Boys Fan Club Home Page.
References
- American Heart Association: Cigarette Smoking and Cardiovascular Diseases
- Biography.com
- Pauls Quiz.com: List of Celebrities who died of Smoking-related illnesses
- The Tobacco Reference Guide: Chapter 41 Personalities, Celebrities, and "Famous Deaths"
- ESPN: Lovable Ruth Was Everyone's Babe
- Beach Boys Fan Club Home Page: In Memoriam Carl Dean Wilson
