Famous Mesothelioma Patients

Like any form of cancer, mesothelioma does not discriminate.  Although relatively rare, mesothelioma has stricken people of every race, ethnicity, and economic and social class, including a number of well-known public figures:

Steve McQueen

Legendary actor Steve McQueen, best known for his roles in such films as The Magnificent Seven, The Sand Pebbles, Bullitt, and The Great Escape, died of mesothelioma in 1980 at the age of 50.  Prior to his death, McQueen spoke out against the dangers of asbestos exposure, attributing his mesothelioma to massive exposure that occurred during his tenure as a Marine.  “The King of Cool” remains one of the most beloved screen rebels of the twentieth century, and played a fundamental role in raising public awareness of mesothelioma and the hazards of asbestos exposure.

Warren Zevon

Singer-songwriter Warren Zevon is probably most widely remembered for his 1978 smash hit “Werewolves of London,” taken from his popular Excitable Boy LP.  However, Zevon remained an important and highly active musician until his death from mesothelioma at the age of 56 in 2003.  During his final appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman, he discussed his illness at length and gave the advice that is often quoted to this day: “Enjoy every sandwich.”  Unable to pinpoint any significant asbestos exposure in his lifetime, Zevon attributed his mesothelioma to heavy smoking, although there is no scientific evidence to support the existence of such a link.

Paul Gleason

Known to millions of film fans as the no-nonsense principal in The Breakfast Club, Paul Gleason died of mesothelioma in 2006 at the age of 67.  Unlike the curmudgeonly character he was best known for, Gleason was friendly and approachable, always willing to sign autographs and speak with his fans.  As a young man, he did construction work for his father, which is most likely how he was exposed to the asbestos responsible for his disease.

Stephen Jay Gould

Harvard biologist and author Stephen Jay Gould represents a strong ray of hope for those who are diagnosed with mesothelioma.  He was diagnosed with the disease in July 1982, at which point he was given just months to live, based on the median life expectancy after diagnosis.  Gould questioned the significance of these statistics as an accurate predictor of a mesothelioma patient’s life expectancy, publishing an article on the issue in Discover entitled “The Median Isn’t the Message.”  Gould went on to live for another 20 years, eventually succumbing to a form of lung cancer completely unrelated to his earlier mesothelioma.  (Incidentally, “The Median Isn’t the Message” is a highly recommended read, especially to those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and their families.)

Other Notable Mesothelioma Victims

Other mesothelioma victims of note include:

• Bruce Vento – Minnesota Congressman (October 7, 1940-October 10, 2000)
• Christie Hennessy – Musician (November 19, 1945-December 11, 2007)
• Merlin Olsen – Professional Football Player and Actor (September15, 1940-March 11, 2010)
• Terry McCann – Olympic Gold Medalist and Executive Director of Toastmasters International (March 23, 1934-June 7, 2006)
• Michael Coney – Science Fiction Author (September 28, 1932-November 4, 2005)
• Malcolm McLaren – Musician and Manager (January 22, 1946-April 8, 2010)
• Bernie Banton – Workers’ Rights Activist (1946-November 27, 2007)
• Paul Kraus – Author of Surviving Mesothelioma and Other Cancers: A Patient’s Guide, Kraus was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 1997, yet has survived and is living well as of early 2011

Contact a Mesothelioma Attorney

If you or a member of your family has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, know that you are not alone.  Thousands of people have been stricken by cancer and other serious illnesses due to asbestos exposure, including the famous figures listed on this page.  Those who are responsible for exposing innocent people to a highly hazardous material should be held liable for the losses and expenses suffered by their victims.  We invite you to contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney today for further information about your legal rights and options.