Former Marlboro Man Eric Lawson Dead At 72 From Smoking Related Disease

The name Eric Lawson may not sound familiar but I'm sure you can recall seeing the Marlboro man ads from the past.  Lawson, who in the 70's portrayed the Marlboro man in print ads, has died at 72 from a smoking related disease.

According to USA Today, Lawson died earlier this month in his California home of respiratory failure from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. (COPD)

Lawson, who also acted on TV shows like "Baretta," "Charlie's Angels," and "Dynasty" portrayed the Marlboro man in the late 1970s and early 80s.

His wife Susan said Lawson smoked from age fourteen until he was diagnosed with COPD.  He leaves behind six children, eighteen grandchildren and elven great grandchildren.