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Quiz about People Who Died as a Result of Smoking
Quiz about People Who Died as a Result of Smoking

People Who Died as a Result of Smoking Quiz


Smoking is a modern-day scourge. Here are twenty famous people who died because of this deadly habit.

A multiple-choice quiz by Pele. Estimated time: 8 mins.
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Author
Pele
Time
8 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
388,195
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
20
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
14 / 20
Plays
987
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 98 (18/20), Guest 172 (11/20), Guest 199 (14/20).
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Question 1 of 20
1. This member of the infamous "Rat Pack" of the 1960s died on Christmas Day, 1995, officially of acute respiratory failure resulting from emphysema, but he had also been diagnosed with lung cancer. He was once half of a very popular comedy team, and after their acrimonious split, became famous in his own right as a singer, movie actor, and television star. Hint


Question 2 of 20
2. The 18th President of the United States smoked 10 or more cigars every day. He died of throat cancer on July 23, 1885. Who was he? Hint


Question 3 of 20
3. An extremely popular actress and pin-up girl during the Second World War, this woman died of lung cancer in 1973. Hint


Question 4 of 20
4. A member of one of the most popular bands of all time, this talented musician fought various types of cancer for years before finally succumbing on November 29, 2001. Hint


Question 5 of 20
5. Which scientist, known in some circles as the "father of the atomic bomb" died in 1967 of throat cancer? Hint


Question 6 of 20
6. This versatile actor with the amazing voice was great at comedy, drama, and period pieces, but he probably was most famous for his horror movies. He died of lung cancer on October 25, 1993. Hint


Question 7 of 20
7. This King of England took up smoking at very young age, and helped to make it extremely popular - especially cigar smoking. It is said that when his tobacco-disapproving mother died, he said to his friends in the palace, "Gentlemen, you may smoke." He was known for smoking at least twelve cigars every day, and around twenty cigarettes as well. Not surprisingly, he developed chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and died after a series of heart attacks. Hint


Question 8 of 20
8. This award-winning actress worked on stage, was on television, and in the movies, but she is probably most famous for her roles on Lou Grant and The Sopranos. She died as a result of lung cancer and emphysema on June 18, 2000. Hint


Question 9 of 20
9. Comedian Ernie Kovacs officially died of injuries received in an automobile accident, but one theory is that he lost control of his car while trying to light a cigar.


Question 10 of 20
10. Cancer of the esophagus is strongly associated with alcohol abuse, smoking, and eating red meat and processed meat.

This screen tough-guy inadvertently helped to make smoking even more popular after World War II. He appeared in more than 75 movies, and was ranked the greatest male star in American cinema by the American Film Institute . He passed away from cancer of the esophagus on January 14, 1957.
Hint


Question 11 of 20
11. This star of stage and screen was a five pack a day smoker, quitting in 1971, but he was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1983. He made an anti-smoking commercial, and passed away on October 10, 1985. Who was this star, perhaps most famous for playing an oriental king? Hint


Question 12 of 20
12. Both Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball were heavy smokers, and their habit contributed to both of their deaths. What form of cancer did Desi die as a result of? Hint


Question 13 of 20
13. This talented actor had at least two addictions, and died as a result of both of them. An alcoholic as well as a smoker, he lay down on his sofa on December 12, 1976, lit a cigarette, and fell asleep. There was a fire, and he did not survive. He was married to a famous television mom, and was the father of three sons who became famous in their own right. Who was he? Hint


Question 14 of 20
14. This boss Stooge was a heavy smoker for his entire adult life. His death from lung cancer occurred on May 4, 1975. Who was he? Hint


Question 15 of 20
15. According to the Johns Hopkins Cancer Centre, smoking doubles the risk of pancreatic cancer. Very difficult to detect in its early stages, this form of cancer is almost always discovered when it's too late for treatment.

This man starred in three extremely popular long-running television programs, spanning almost 30 years. Born Eugene Maurice Orowitz, he was a four pack a day smoker for most of his life. Diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer in April, 1991, he passed away on July 1 of the same year, aged only 54.
Hint


Question 16 of 20
16. This award-winning actress is strongly associated with smoking, and she may have accidentally made smoking more popular among women after World War II. She was also famous for her temper, and her feuds with Errol Flynn, another popular actress, and in later life, her own daughter.

She developed breast cancer, had a double mastectomy, and a series of strokes. Her doctors put the blame for her ill health squarely on her addiction to smoking, but she continued to smoke 100 cigarettes a day. She died on October 6, 1989, at the age of 81.

Who was she?
Hint


Question 17 of 20
17. This artist and entrepreneur never allowed himself be filmed smoking, nor did he ever smoke around his biggest fans, but he was an inveterate chain-smoker. He died of complications from lung cancer in December, 1966. He has become a controversial figure, but some argue that he was simply a product of his time.

Answer: (First and last name or last name only)
Question 18 of 20
18. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is an term used to describe progressive lung diseases that include non-reversible asthma, bronchitis and emphysema. It is said that 80% to 90% of the time, the cause of COPD is due to chronic smoking.

Which actor, famous for his portrayal of an alien on television and in the movies, was mourned by legions of fans when he passed away from COPD on February 27, 2015?

Answer: (First and last name or last name only)
Question 19 of 20
19. This American singer was one of the first black men to host a television variety show. A very heavy smoker, he was rarely seen without a cigarette, even while performing. He died of lung cancer at the age of 45 on February 15, 1965. Hint


Question 20 of 20
20. This troubled actress was a child star in the 1970s and 80s, but did not get much work afterwards. Known for her hard-partying ways, when she died suddenly at the age of 56 on April 22, 2017. People immediately speculated that it was due to a drug overdose, but no illegal drugs were found in her system, nor in the trailer where she was living. It transpired that she died due to complications of stage four squamous cell carcinoma of the throat.

Who was this rather tragic actress?
Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. This member of the infamous "Rat Pack" of the 1960s died on Christmas Day, 1995, officially of acute respiratory failure resulting from emphysema, but he had also been diagnosed with lung cancer. He was once half of a very popular comedy team, and after their acrimonious split, became famous in his own right as a singer, movie actor, and television star.

Answer: Dean Martin

Dean Martin was an Italian-American entertainer who first became famous through his partnership with Jerry Lewis. Having become friends with Frank Sinatra, he and the other members of the Rat Pack made several movies together, and became fixtures in Las Vegas. In 1965 the Dean Martin Show was launched, and it went on for 9 seasons. During this time Martin made several successful recordings. After leaving his variety show, Martin spent the next 11 years hosting a series of celebrity roast specials. Afterwards he continued to make occasional movies, and did projects with his Rat Pack friends, but slowed down considerably in his later years.

In 1993 Dean Martin was diagnosed with lung cancer, and he rejected the surgery that he was told could prolong his life. Like his buddies Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr, he died of a smoking-related illness.
2. The 18th President of the United States smoked 10 or more cigars every day. He died of throat cancer on July 23, 1885. Who was he?

Answer: Ulysses S. Grant

Ulysses S. Grant's fortunes changed dramatically because of the Civil War. A rather shy and introverted man, the only thing he was ever successful at was battle strategy. He is often given credit for bringing the Civil War to a close, and was so popular in the north that the Republicans persuaded him to run for President - a position he most definitely was not suited for. An alcoholic and chain-smoker, he got worse under the pressures of office.
3. An extremely popular actress and pin-up girl during the Second World War, this woman died of lung cancer in 1973.

Answer: Betty Grable

During the 1940s Betty Grable was one of the highest paid women in America. A sex symbol throughout her career, her bathing suit poster made her the number-one pin-up girl of World War II.

A heavy smoker herself, she made a lot of money advertising cigarettes. She was only 56 when lung cancer claimed her life.
4. A member of one of the most popular bands of all time, this talented musician fought various types of cancer for years before finally succumbing on November 29, 2001.

Answer: George Harrison

All four of the Beatles were heavy smokers at one time, but perhaps the greatest toll of the habit fell on their lead guitarist, George Harrison.

Having started smoking at a young age, Harrison gave it up for a time, only to start again before finally quitting in 1997, when he was diagnosed with throat cancer. He immediately blamed his smoking for his predicament.

He received surgery and radiation treatment, and appeared to recover - but got regular check-ups. It was at one of these check ups that doctors discovered a large tumour on his lung, which they removed. Unfortunately it had metastasized to his brain, and after a mighty struggle, he died. Officially George Harrison died of brain cancer, but it was smoking that caused the illnesses that killed him.
5. Which scientist, known in some circles as the "father of the atomic bomb" died in 1967 of throat cancer?

Answer: Robert Oppenheimer

Dr. Oppenheimer smoked almost constantly, chain-smoking cigarettes or puffing on his pipe. He died at sixty-two, after several painful operations and chemotherapy for his cancer. He didn't stop smoking until he fell into a coma, three days before his death.
6. This versatile actor with the amazing voice was great at comedy, drama, and period pieces, but he probably was most famous for his horror movies. He died of lung cancer on October 25, 1993.

Answer: Vincent Price

Vincent Price was known for his distinctive voice and superb acting. He appeared on stage, television, radio, and made more than 100 movies. He was also an art collector with exquisite taste, and a gourmet cook.

A lifelong smoker, in his final years he suffered greatly from emphysema, but he died of lung cancer.
7. This King of England took up smoking at very young age, and helped to make it extremely popular - especially cigar smoking. It is said that when his tobacco-disapproving mother died, he said to his friends in the palace, "Gentlemen, you may smoke." He was known for smoking at least twelve cigars every day, and around twenty cigarettes as well. Not surprisingly, he developed chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and died after a series of heart attacks.

Answer: King Edward VII

Like several of his forebears, Edward was cross-addicted. He drank to excess, gambled, smoked, over-ate and chased women for his entire adult life. However, he turned out to be a fairly decent king, despite his mother Victoria's dire predictions to the contrary.
8. This award-winning actress worked on stage, was on television, and in the movies, but she is probably most famous for her roles on Lou Grant and The Sopranos. She died as a result of lung cancer and emphysema on June 18, 2000.

Answer: Nancy Marchand

Nancy Marchand was an American actress who began her career in theatre in the 1950s, but also starred in movies and television productions, often playing imperious, high-class women.

Knowing perfectly well that she would soon die of cancer, Ms Marchand asked the director of the Sopranos to keep her working for as long as possible, so her character's death was written into the third season story line. However, she passed away before her final scenes were filmed, forcing the production company to rely on old footage and CGI to close the story arc.
9. Comedian Ernie Kovacs officially died of injuries received in an automobile accident, but one theory is that he lost control of his car while trying to light a cigar.

Answer: True

Ernie Kovacs died in the early morning of January 13, 1962, while driving too fast on wet roads. He hit a hydro pole and died almost instantly of head and chest injuries. He was found with an unlit cigar close to his hand, leading crash investigators to speculate that he had been trying to light one of his ubiquitous cigars when he skidded on the wet pavement - Kovacs was known to chain-smoke cigars. He was 42 years old.

While he did not die as a result illness, it appears that his addiction to tobacco killed him nonetheless.
10. Cancer of the esophagus is strongly associated with alcohol abuse, smoking, and eating red meat and processed meat. This screen tough-guy inadvertently helped to make smoking even more popular after World War II. He appeared in more than 75 movies, and was ranked the greatest male star in American cinema by the American Film Institute . He passed away from cancer of the esophagus on January 14, 1957.

Answer: Humphrey Bogart

Humprhey Bogart took up smoking as a young teenager, and was in fact expelled from high school due to his smoking and drinking. Unfortunately he kept up these habits throughout his life, and they caused the esophageal cancer and throat cancer that killed him in 1957, at the age of 58.

By the mid 1950s Mr Bogart was chronically short of breath at rest, and coughed continually, but he refused to see a doctor until January, 1956. In March, surgeons removed a cancerous esophagus, two lymph nodes, and a rib in a nine-and-a-half hour operation. Chemotherapy only added to his misery, and a second surgery in November did not help at all. At 57 years old, he couldn't talk or eat, and had to breathe using an oxygen tank.

Despite all of this, he only stopped smoking when he fell into a coma the day before his death.
11. This star of stage and screen was a five pack a day smoker, quitting in 1971, but he was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1983. He made an anti-smoking commercial, and passed away on October 10, 1985. Who was this star, perhaps most famous for playing an oriental king?

Answer: Yul Brynner

Yul Brynner was best known for his portrayal of King Mongkut of Siam in the musical "The King and I", a role he played 4,625 times on stage. He also starred as Ramesses II "The Ten Commandments", and the gunman Chris Adams in "The Magnificent Seven".

Brynner was noted for his distinctive voice and for his shaved head. He was also a model, television director, a photographer, and the author of two books.

Brynner began smoking at the age of 12, and although he did manage to quit, he did develop lung cancer. He died at the age of 65.

A few days after his death, his anti-cigarette public service announcement was shown on all of the major US television networks. In it, he looked directly into the camera and said, "Now that I'm gone, I tell you: Don't smoke. Whatever you do, just don't smoke. If I could take back that smoking, we wouldn't be talking about any cancer. I'm convinced of that."
12. Both Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball were heavy smokers, and their habit contributed to both of their deaths. What form of cancer did Desi die as a result of?

Answer: lung cancer

Desi Arnaz is best remembered as Ricky Ricardo on "I Love Lucy", which he starred in with his then wife, Lucille Ball. Both of them were heavy smokers all of their lives, and they regularly smoked on their show. Desi Arnaz also smoked cigars well into his 60s. In 1982 he was diagnosed with lung cancer, and he died before the end of the year at the age of 69.
13. This talented actor had at least two addictions, and died as a result of both of them. An alcoholic as well as a smoker, he lay down on his sofa on December 12, 1976, lit a cigarette, and fell asleep. There was a fire, and he did not survive. He was married to a famous television mom, and was the father of three sons who became famous in their own right. Who was he?

Answer: Jack Cassidy

Once married to Shirley Jones (television's matriarch of "The Partridge Family"), Jack Cassidy was the father of David, Shaun and Patrick Cassidy. Evidence at the scene suggested that he was trying to crawl to a pair of sliding glass doors when he was overcome by smoke. He was identified by dental records, and a ring on his hand.
14. This boss Stooge was a heavy smoker for his entire adult life. His death from lung cancer occurred on May 4, 1975. Who was he?

Answer: Moe Howard

Moe Howard had a career that lasted 66 years, and he appeared in more than 250 films, including 190 "Three Stooges" shorts.

Having cast himself as the abusive boss Stooge, the irony was that in reality, Moe Howard was a quiet, dedicated family man. Very good with investments, he also took responsibility for investing the money of the other Stooges so that they would have comfortable retirements - and it was a good thing that he did - despite their work being shown on television for years, "The Three Stooges" never made any money from syndication.

The last survivor of the original Stooges, Moe Howard was working on an autobiography tentatively titled "I Stooged to Conquer" when he died of lung cancer at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, where he had been admitted one week before. He was nearly 78 years old.
15. According to the Johns Hopkins Cancer Centre, smoking doubles the risk of pancreatic cancer. Very difficult to detect in its early stages, this form of cancer is almost always discovered when it's too late for treatment. This man starred in three extremely popular long-running television programs, spanning almost 30 years. Born Eugene Maurice Orowitz, he was a four pack a day smoker for most of his life. Diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer in April, 1991, he passed away on July 1 of the same year, aged only 54.

Answer: Michael Landon

Michael Landon was an American actor, writer, director, and producer. He portrayed as Little Joe Cartwright in "Bonanza (1959-73)", Charles "Pa" Ingalls in "Little House on the Prairie" (1974-83), and Jonathan Smith in "Highway to Heaven" (1984-89).
16. This award-winning actress is strongly associated with smoking, and she may have accidentally made smoking more popular among women after World War II. She was also famous for her temper, and her feuds with Errol Flynn, another popular actress, and in later life, her own daughter. She developed breast cancer, had a double mastectomy, and a series of strokes. Her doctors put the blame for her ill health squarely on her addiction to smoking, but she continued to smoke 100 cigarettes a day. She died on October 6, 1989, at the age of 81. Who was she?

Answer: Bette Davis

Bette Davis deeply resented the anti-smoking lobby. She smoked whenever she wanted, and wherever she wanted, almost up to the moment of her death.

She was so addicted that she could not sit through a ten-minute television appearance without having to light a cigarette, and when shooting movies, she often insisted that her character be written as a smoker. When this was inappropriate (usually due to it being a period piece) she would take frequent smoke breaks, often holding up production.
17. This artist and entrepreneur never allowed himself be filmed smoking, nor did he ever smoke around his biggest fans, but he was an inveterate chain-smoker. He died of complications from lung cancer in December, 1966. He has become a controversial figure, but some argue that he was simply a product of his time.

Answer: Walt Disney

Walt Disney was a pioneer in animation, television, movies, and amusement parks, but a lot of people who worked for him did not like him, or his dictatorial attitude. He has also come under fire in recent years due to his apparent racism and sexism, but when he was alive, people all over the world adored his public persona, particularly children.
18. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is an term used to describe progressive lung diseases that include non-reversible asthma, bronchitis and emphysema. It is said that 80% to 90% of the time, the cause of COPD is due to chronic smoking. Which actor, famous for his portrayal of an alien on television and in the movies, was mourned by legions of fans when he passed away from COPD on February 27, 2015?

Answer: Leonard Nimoy

Leonard Nimoy is of course most famous for playing Mr Spock on "Star Trek". A smoker for many years, he kicked the habit 30 years before his death, but the damage was unfortunately done.
19. This American singer was one of the first black men to host a television variety show. A very heavy smoker, he was rarely seen without a cigarette, even while performing. He died of lung cancer at the age of 45 on February 15, 1965.

Answer: Nat King Cole

Nat King Cole often smoked several cigarettes in a row before recording his songs because he thought they helped to keep his low and mellow. He is said to have smoked between three and four packs of cigarettes a day.

In September 1964, Cole began losing weight and experiencing back pain. Refusing to seek help, he continued to perform, but when he collapsed at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas, friends finally persuaded him to see a doctor. His cancer was diagnosed in November, 1964. He died three months later.
20. This troubled actress was a child star in the 1970s and 80s, but did not get much work afterwards. Known for her hard-partying ways, when she died suddenly at the age of 56 on April 22, 2017. People immediately speculated that it was due to a drug overdose, but no illegal drugs were found in her system, nor in the trailer where she was living. It transpired that she died due to complications of stage four squamous cell carcinoma of the throat. Who was this rather tragic actress?

Answer: Erin Moran

Erin Moran played Joanie Cunningham on Happy days and in a spin-off called "Joanie Loves Chachi". After these series ended, she struggled to find acting work, and turned to alcohol and drugs to help with her profound depression. A heavy smoker since her teens, she first noticed symptoms of cancer in November 2016, and went for chemotherapy and radiation treatments, which weakened her considerably. According to her brother, Ms Moran kept her cancer secret from her five siblings as she did not wish to worry them.

Although it is claimed that she had recovered from her drug and alcohol dependencies, Ms Moran apparently never did quit smoking.
Source: Author Pele

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