Tobacco firms paid huge amounts for endorsements from the stars of Hollywood’s “Golden Age”. Industry documents released following anti-smoking lawsuits reveal the extent of the relationship between tobacco and movie studios. One firm paid more than $3m in today’s money in one year to stars.
Researchers writing in the Tobacco Control journal said “classic” films of the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s still helped promote smoking today.
STARS PAID TO PROMOTE LUCKY STRIKE – 1937/8
Actor US$ paid (2008 equivalent)
Gary Cooper 10,000 (146,583) prostate, colon, lungs, bone cancer
Joan Crawford 10,000 (146,583) pancreatic cancer
Henry Fonda 3,000 (43,975) prostate cancer
Clark Gable 10,000 (146,583) coronary thrombosis
Bob Hope 2,500 (36,646)
Gertrude Lawrence 1,750 (25,652) liver cancer
Carole Lombard 10,000 (146,583)
Myrna Loy 10,000 (146,583) breast cancer
far more here
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