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.

Marlboro classics – wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

King’s (cigarette) – wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2010) Marlboro Classics Industry Consumer Goods Founded 1980s Headquarters Italy Products Textile Apparel clothing Revenue 0.17 billion (2008) Parent Valentino Fashion Group Website /

Marlboro Classics is an Italian fashion and lifestyle house. The Brand was established in the mid 1980s. It is produced and distributed by Valentino Fashion Group.

Today edit

Nowadays they have 2400 points of sales in 42 countries. In 2008 their turnover was reported to be approximately 170 million euros.

Products are known for high quality and elegancy and they are made with the highest standards. Main values of the brand are inspired by the legendary American West. Marlboro Classics produce diversified range of products including belts, leather goods, bags, shoes, boots, jackets, coats, shirts, jeans, trousers and pullovers.

The Marlboro name has been licensed from Altria (formerly Philip Morris), owner of the Marlboro cigarette brand, as part of their effort to work around tobacco marketing restrictions.

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