Is there anything more intriguing than the private behavior of celebrities? As public figures, it may seem like stars live a perfect life – but that’s not always the case. Like everyone else, many actors, singers, and entertainers have bad habits, and smoking is one of them.
So why do some celebrities still choose this lifestyle? Let’s take a look at our list of celebrity smokers around the world and explore their reasons for indulging in this controversial habit.
Celebrity Smokers
Celebrities are known for setting trends. Whether it’s the latest fashion or the newest music, people often aspire to be like their favorite celebrities in some way or another.
But some examples, like celebrities doing drugs, drinking, or smoking, should be avoided because they’re dangerous. Unfortunately, there are many celebrities who have taken to this unhealthy habit, and the list of celebrity smokers continues to grow.
Dakota Johnson
The actress, known for her roles in Fifty Shades of Grey and The Social Network, is among our top celebrities who smoke, as she has been spotted holding a cigarette on several occasions. While some fans have expressed concern for her health, Johnson has not publicly commented on her smoking habit.
Ben Affleck
The Good Will Hunting star Ben Affleck has been known for his long-standing smoking habit and has been frequently photographed with a cigarette over the years. The Batman star has also been seen smoking in public and on film sets, with some reports stating that he smokes around two packs a day.
In various interviews, Affleck has expressed his ongoing battle with tobacco addiction, the fact that he is among alcoholic celebrities, and the challenges he faces in trying to break free from these habits.
Daniel Radcliffe
Another one on our list of heavy-smoker celebrities is the British actor Daniel Radcliffe known for his portrayal of Harry Potter in the film adaptations of J.K. Rowling’s beloved series. It turns out that “the boy who lived” is also a man who smokes over 20 cigarettes a day.
Reports say Radcliffe smokes on set too. In one of his earlier interviews, the actor said that he likes to shock people by asking them for cigarette lighters because most of them don’t expect him to smoke.
Nicole Kidman
The acclaimed Australian actress is among the many celebrities that smoke though she said that she started this habit so she could perfect her “deep voice” for her role as Lucile Ball in the movie Being the Ricardos.
Kidman has been photographed smoking on several occasions, including on film sets and during public appearances, but except for her comments on the Lucille Ball part, she has not publicly addressed her smoking habit or any efforts to quit.
Rihanna
The Grammy Award-winning singer is one of our celebrities that smoke cigarettes and cigars. She has been seen smoking both on and off stage, as well as in public settings.
In interviews, Rihanna has been candid about her love of smoking and has even been known to post pictures of herself smoking on social media. However, there have been reports that she has cut back on smoking and is trying to quit altogether in order to preserve her singing voice.
Johnny Depp
The celebrated actor and musician, has been a smoker for many years and does not keep this vice of his a secret. Compared to the other diagnosis unofficially given to him, ADHD, and mental illnesses among the many celebrities with depression, Depp’s smoking habit is official as he has been photographed in the act on numerous occasions, both on and off set.
However, the actor has also been known to be health-conscious and has made attempts to quit smoking in the past. In 2011, he announced that he had quit smoking, but later admitted that he had started again, which definitely puts him on our list of the most famous heavy smokers in Hollywood.
Kate Winslet
The Academy Award-winning actress known for her roles in Titanic and The Reader is not only a smoker but has also admitted to enjoying rolling her own cigarettes.
Winslet has been photographed smoking on various occasions, including on film sets and during public appearances though she says she never smokes in front of her children. According to statements, Winslet joined the group of actresses who smoke when she was only 19. She first lit a cigarette on set while filming Sense and Sensibility.
Kate Moss
The renowned British supermodel and former girlfriend of Johnny Depp, has been notorious for her long-standing smoking habit. She is not only one of the greatest celebrities who smoke cigarettes, but she has been frequently captured by paparazzi smoking, both in public and private settings.
Moss became a prominent figure at a time when models that smoke, and the habit in general, was more socially acceptable in the fashion industry. However, as awareness about the health risks of smoking increased, there have been reports suggesting that Moss has made attempts to quit.
Adam Levine
Lead vocalist of Maroon 5, who is also among celebrities with ADHD, has been known to have a smoking habit. He has been photographed smoking cigarettes on various occasions, both in public and private settings.
Levine’s wife, Namibian model Behati Prinsloo is also one of our female celebrities who smoke– both Levine and Behati have been seen on numerous occasions taking cigarette breaks. In addition to being a cigarette smoker, Levine also smokes marihuana in his Nobody’s Love video, which is a protest song against the war on marijuana.
Lana Del Rey
Another one on our list of celebrity smokers is the American singer, Lana Del Rey. According to some, smoking fits her iconic, vintage Hollywood persona and has kind of become a trademark for her but fits.
Del Rey has been seen smoking both in public and in her music videos and has also been known to get a cigarette out during gigs and smoke on stage. Her smoking habit has been a topic of discussion among her fans and the media, who are aware the singer has undergone rehab for her alcohol abuse and worry about the potential health risks associated with it.
Celebrity Smokers Who Died Because of Smoking
Lung cancer and other smoking-related diseases affect millions of people worldwide, regardless of their social status or fame. Unfortunately, even some of the most well-known celebrities have fallen victim and have suffered from the hazards of tobacco. Here’s a list of celebrity smokers who died of lung cancer and other diseases associated with tobacco use.
Humphrey Bogart
The iconic Hollywood actor renowned for his roles in classic films like Casablanca and The Maltese Falcon met a tragic end in his battle with esophageal cancer. On January 14, 1957, Bogart passed away at the age of 57.
Bogart was a prominent figure in Hollywood’s Golden Age and among the many celebrities smoking at the time. He was often seen with a cigarette in his hand both on and off the screen, a habit that likely contributed to his unfortunate demise.
Yul Brynner
Legendary actor, famous for his portrayal of the King of Siam in The King and I, was also one of the many actors that smoked cigarettes during the 80s. Brynner died on October 10, 1985, at the age of 65, from lung cancer. Brynner started smoking at the age of 12 and was known to have smoked as many as five packs a day.
After he had been diagnosed with lung cancer, he said that his wish was to film a commercial that said, “Now that I’m gone, I tell you: don’t smoke, whatever you do, just don’t smoke.” Fortunately, one year after he died, his wish came true.
Richard Boone
Known for his role as Paladin in the television series Have Gun – Will Travel, celebrated actor Richard Boone passed away on January 10, 1981, at the age of 63. Boone’s cause of death was directly linked to his long-term smoking habit.
In his time, he was not only one of the many actors who smoked cigarettes but was a heavy smoker for many years until his addiction eventually caught up with him.
Walt Disney
The animator, film producer, and visionary behind some of the most beloved animated films of all time, is another one on our list of famous smokers who died because of nicotine addiction.
Officially, Disney’s cause of death was acute circulatory collapse resulting from lung cancer, which was linked to his smoking habit. Disney was a heavy smoker, and his addiction likely played a role in the development of his illness.
Nat King Cole
The legendary jazz musician and singer passed away at the age of 45 from lung cancer. Believe it or not, Cole tops the list of celebrity chain smokers whose addiction most likely contributed to the development of his illness. He was known to have smoked up to four packs of cigarettes a day.
Famous Smokers in History
Cigarette smoking has been an influential habit that has shaped cultures, defined eras, and fascinated millions of individuals throughout history. From renowned artists and writers to political leaders and cultural icons, the list of famous cigarette smokers stretches across time and continents.
Here are a few iconic figures that have left an indelible mark on their respective fields while indulging in the addictive pleasure of tobacco smoking.
Sir Winston Churchill
British Prime Minister during World War II, Sir Winston Churchill, was rarely seen without a cigar in his hand, which became synonymous with his indomitable spirit and leadership.
Audrey Hepburn
Iconic Breakfast at Tiffany’s star Audrey Hepburn who became a symbol of elegance and sophistication both on and off the screen, was often seen with a cigarette holder between her fingers.
Albert Einstein
The genius physicist was known for his pipe-smoking habit, often seen pondering the mysteries of the universe with smoke swirling around him.
James Dean
The epitome of youthful rebellion and a Hollywood heartthrob, known as one of the few celebrities with borderline personality disorder in his time, frequently appeared with a cigarette dangling from his lips, defining a generation’s cool and nonchalant attitude.
Frida Kahlo
Influential Mexican artist, and one of the most famous female smokers, Frida Kahlo was often depicted with a cigarette, even in her self-portraits.
Marlene Dietrich
German-American actress and singer possessed an alluring aura, enhanced by her sultry cigarette holder, which she skillfully incorporated into her performances, notably, her most famous movie, The Blue Angel.
Frank Sinatra
The legendary crooner was often photographed with a cigarette in hand, his smooth vocals and debonair persona forever linked to the allure of the smoking habit.
Pablo Picasso
One of the most influential Spanish painters and sculptors, known as the father of Cubism, was known to chain smoke while creating his masterpieces.
Coco Chanel
The fashion icon and founder of the Chanel brand was often seen with a cigarette, exuding sophistication and defying societal norms with her rebellious style.
Bob Dylan
The legendary singer-songwriter, known for his poetic lyrics and profound musical impact, has been associated with smoking throughout his career, embodying the spirit of counterculture.
The Takeaway
From the female trailblazers to the male trendsetters, it’s clear that smoking and fame go hand in hand. And even though smoking has surrounded our pop culture for years, it must also be noted that thousands of people die from smoking-related illnesses every year.
Ultimately, though celebrity smokers have made a lasting impression on history, their influence should be seen as an example of what not to do rather than as an encouragement to embrace this habit.
