Health, Smoking, and Final Years
For much of his life, Yul Brynner was rarely seen without a cigarette in hand. Smoking was deeply ingrained in his daily habits and public image. In the 1980s, he was diagnosed with lung cancer, a turning point that led him to reconsider his lifelong addiction.
In January 1985, nine months before his death, Brynner appeared on the television program Good Morning America, where he expressed his desire to create an anti-smoking message. Although he did not live long enough to produce the advertisement himself, the interview clip gained powerful significance after his death.
Brynner died in New York City on October 10, 1985, the same day as fellow cinematic legend Orson Welles. After his passing, the American Cancer Society broadcast the interview clip as a public service announcement. In it, Brynner delivered a direct and emotional message:
“Now that I’m gone, I’m telling you, don’t smoke. Whatever you do, just don’t smoke. If I could just erase smoking from my past, I’m sure we wouldn’t be talking about cancer today.”
The message resonated deeply with audiences and became one of the most memorable anti-smoking statements ever delivered by a public figure. The clip continues to be displayed in educational exhibitions, including Worlds of the Body.
