Lawson died on January 10 at his home in San Luis Obispo, California, of respiratory failure due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, his wife Susan said yesterday.
Lawson was an actor with bit parts on such TV shows as 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 suffered on the set of a Western film ended his career in 1997.
A smoker since the age of 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.
Mrs Lawson 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.”
Several other actors and models who advertised 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 survived by six children, 18 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
Actor who played marlboro man in ads dies from smoking-related disease – u.s. news
Eric Lawson, a working actor who portrayed the Marlboro Man in cigarette ads during the late 1970s, has died. He was 72.
Lawson’s wife, Susan Lawson, said Sunday that her husband died Jan. 10 at his California home. The cause was respiratory failure due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD.
The ruggedly handsome Lawson portrayed the smoking cowboy in Marlboro print ads from 1978 to 1981. He also had bit parts in such TV shows as “Baretta” and “Charlie’s Angels” before injuries sustained on the set of a Western film ended his acting career.
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.
He is also survived by six children.
The Associated Press
This story was originally published on Mon Jan 27, 2014 3 16 AM EST