Actor leaves antismoking plea

Press, 21 February 1986, Page 6

Actor leaves antismoking plea

NZPA-Reuter New York Yul Brynner, the actor who died in October after a two-year battle with lung cancer, videotaped an emotional message before his death, in which he pleaded with people not to smoke. Brynner, best known for his portrayal of the King of Siam in the stage play and movie “The King and I,” bequeathed the 30second tape to the society. It will be shown on television stations throughout the United States. In his message, Brynner says he wanted to make a full commercial towards the end of his life, but was too sick to do so. The tape was made about four months before Brynner died, aged 65.

His message, brief and to the point, says, “Ladies arid gentlemen, this is Yul Brynner. I really wanted to make a commercial, but I discovered I was too sick and my time was too limited. “Now that I am gone, I want to tell you: don’t smoke. Whatever you do, don’t smoke. If I could take back that smoking, I wouldn’t be talking about cancer. I am convinced of that” Before he was diagnosed as having lung cancer, in 1983, Brynner admitted smoking up to 80 cigarettes a day.