John Wayne’s bad habits, and how they killed him,Born Marion Mitchell Morrison, John Wayne was
John Wayne’s bad habits, and how they killed him,Born Marion Mitchell Morrison, John Wayne was one of the most popular American actors of the 20th century, if not of all history, and a legendary Western movie icon. John Wayne had many bad habits, in his own words he admitted that he “worked too hard, smoked to much, and drank to much." Especially monumental were his smoking habits. Urban legend holds that John Wayne died of cancer contracted from radioactive fallout from exposure during the filming of The Conqueror near the US Government’s nuclear weapons test range in Nevada. Many of those who starred in or were involved in the movie contracted or died from cancer. However, they were all heavy smokers. Back in the 60’s everyone smoked, no one thought there was anything wrong with it. There were even advertisements claiming that smoking was healthy. John Wayne was no exception, but he was exceptional in that he was a notoriously heavy smoking. When his smoking habit was at it’s worst, he was smoking six packs a day. Yes, you heard me right, SIX PACKS A DAY! In 1964 Wayne was diagnosed with lung cancer after a routine checkup. He had to undergo surgery in which his entire left lung was removed as well as four ribs. For the rest of his life, having only one lung severely limited his career and acting abilities. Outwardly his close call with death changed his life. He began taking part in anti-smoking ads and cancer awareness ads on TV with the American Cancer Association. However, in private, his bad habits continued. While he stopped smoking cigarettes, he switched to cigars because most cigar smokers don’t inhale, he started chewing tobacco, and his drinking increased. Throughout the 60’s and 70’s, his health slowly declined as he began to suffer from chronic disease and illness. In 1976 Wayne starred in his last movie, The Shootist, about an aging gunfighter who was dying of cancer. Two years later, he was diagnosed with stomach cancer. He died on June 11th, 1979 at the age of 72. -- source link
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