If I could take back that smoking, we wouldn’t be talking about any cancer. I’m convinced of that.” His year of birth, in one version of the commercial, was incorrectly given as 1915.In September 1983, Brynner found a lump on his vocal cords. In Los Angeles, only hours before his 4,000th performance in The King and I, he received the test results indicating that while his throat was fine, he had inoperable lung cancer. Cigarette smoking is by a substantial margin the greatest risk factor for lung cancer, and Brynner began smoking heavily aged 12.
Yul Brynner’s passing in 1985 marked the end of a remarkable journey, but his performances continue to inspire actors and audiences alike. He remains an enduring figure in popular culture, a symbol of elegance, strength, and timeless artistry. This diverse heritage contributed to his striking, exotic appearance, which later became his signature. Brynner’s father left the family when he was young, and he was raised primarily by his mother, moving across Asia and Europe during his childhood.
