Celebrities With Mesothelioma
Though mesothelioma is a relatively rare cancer, it has affected hundreds of thousands of people around the world, from all walks of life. This includes some well-known celebrities, from musicians to movie stars to athletes. Mesothelioma patients in the spotlight have shed light on the broader issue of asbestos exposure. Learning about their personal struggles can help raise awareness about the importance of mesothelioma screenings for those who have been exposed to asbestos—no matter how long ago that exposure occurred.
Steve McQueen
The original “King of Cool”, Steve McQueen was one of the most iconic movie stars of the 60s and 70s. His roles in films like The Thomas Crown Affair, The Great Escape, and The Cincinnati Kid made him one of the biggest names in Hollywood, and by 1974, he was the highest-paid actor in the world. He was also well-known for his penchant for racecars and motorcycles.
In 1979, McQueen was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma. He had been exposed to asbestos extensively during his service in the U.S. Marine Corps (1947-1950), where he had been tasked with removing insulation from pipes aboard troop ships. He was likely further exposed during his career, as asbestos was commonly used to insulate movie sound stages and to fireproof protective race-driving suits and helmets. He ultimately passed away in early November of 1980, at the age of 50.
Leonard Bernstein
One of modern history’s most notable composers and conductors—and the subject of Bradley Cooper’s Oscar-buzzing 2023 biopic, Maestro—Leonard Bernstein wrote, performed, and conducted prolifically throughout his long career, with contributions including Broadway musicals like West Side Story.
When he was in his early 70s and in failing health from emphysema (linked to his lifelong heavy smoking), Bernstein was diagnosed with mesothelioma. It is unclear exactly where he was exposed to asbestos, but it is likely that his smoking and chronic lung disease may have caused his condition to develop sooner than it otherwise may have. In October 1990 he announced his retirement from conducting, and passed away from a mesothelioma-related heart attack five days later.
Stephen Jay Gould:
Stephen Jay Gould was an important paleontologist and evolutionary biologist. He wrote extensively in Natural History magazine, and contributed greatly to the field of evolutionary biology.
In July 1982, Gould was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, linked to asbestos exposure while working at Harvard’s Museum of Comparative Zoology, which housed its specimens in asbestos-lined cabinets. Gould was told the median survival time for peritoneal mesothelioma was 8 months. Though this median seemed shockingly short, Gould delved into the statistics and medical literature, and discovered that the odds were actually in his favor to live far longer than the median survival time. In a 1985 Discover magazine column (titled “The Median Isn’t the Message”), he describes this realization, explaining that while statistical averages are often useful, they are ultimately abstractions that do not account for the varieties of human and medical experience.
After his diagnosis, Gould underwent a then-experimental multimodal mesothelioma treatment plan, consisting of multiple surgeries, radiation, and aggressive chemotherapy. Despite severe side effects, the treatment was ultimately successful: Gould went on to live another 20 years after his initial diagnosis.
Warren Zevon:
Classic rock singer, songwriter and musician Warren Zevon was the man behind iconic hits like “Keep Me in Your Heart” and “Werewolves of London”, and was known for his hard-edged but poetic style. He was a frequent guest on Late Night with David Letterman and collaborated with artists like Bruce Springsteen, The Everly Brothers, Fleetwood Mac, Jackson Browne, and Tom Petty.
In the fall of 2002, after experiencing shortness of breath and dizziness, Zevon was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma. He had likely been exposed to asbestos repeatedly throughout his life, including in the attic of his father’s carpet store, where he used to play as a child, and while performing around the country in venues with asbestos-coated ceiling pipes. His band’s drummer would often bang on the pipes during sets, sending asbestos particles into the air.
Zevon ultimately refused aggressive treatment, and instead focused his energies on making a final album, The Wind, which deals with illness and the end of life bravely and candidly. On October 30, 2002, Zevon debuted several songs from The Wind on a special hour-long episode of the Late Show with David Letterman. When asked if he had learned anything about life and death from his mesothelioma journey, Zevon famously replied that people should “enjoy every sandwich.” He passed away on September 7th, 2003, two weeks after The Wind was publicly released.
Ed Lauter:
Esteemed character actor Ed Lauter was known largely for playing authority figures, military men, and edgy bad guys during his four-decade film and television career, including roles in The Longest Yard, Mulholland Falls, Cujo, Born on the Fourth of July, and The Artist.
In June 2013, Lauter was diagnosed with mesothelioma, and passed away soon thereafter in October 2013 (shortly before his 75th birthday). Lauter had been exposed to asbestos extensively while working at various Los Angeles movie studios and sets. After his death, his family filed a lawsuit against many big-name plaintiffs, including CBS, Ford, GE, Union Carbide, and Viacom, among others, alleging that they knowingly exposed Lauter (and many of his colleagues) to asbestos on set. The lawsuit is still pending. In the meantime, Lauter’s widow Mia set up the Ed Lauter Foundation, which offers scholarships to aspiring actors.
Merlin Olson
Merlin Olson was a record-breaking defensive tackle with the LA Rams who went on to have a successful TV sports commentary and acting career, ultimately starring in the NBC drama, Father Murphy, among other roles.
In 2009, Olson was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. He had been exposed to asbestos repeatedly while working construction jobs during his Utah youth, and then during his career in sports and television. Later that year, while undergoing extensive chemotherapy, Olson filed a lawsuit against 25 defendants (including NBC, Fox, Georgia Pacific, and Sherwin Williams) for exposing him to asbestos over the course of his lifetime. He ultimately passed away in March 2010, at the age of 69.
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