Half a century of excellence
The American track and field athlete Olympic gold medalist died of lung cancer on March 31, 1980. The Olympic gold medalist was 66.
The infamous Prohibition-era Chicago mobster died of lung cancer in prison on February 25, 1957. Bugs Moran was 63.
The actor, best known for costarring with his then-wife Lucille Ball on the sitcom 'I Love Lucy,' was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1986, and died shortly after on December 2. He was 69.
The English singer, best known for songs such as 'Unchain My Heart' and 'You Can Leave Your Hat On,' passed away from lung cancer on December 22, 2014, at the age of 70.
Mexican comedian and actor Mario Fortino Alfonso Moreno Reyes, best known as Cantinflas, died of lung cancer on April 20, 1993. He was 81.
The Jamaican reggae legend was diagnosed with melanoma (skin cancer) on his toe in 1977. The melanoma then fatally spread to his brain and lungs. Bob Marley died on May 11, 1981. He was 36.
King George VI's official cause of death was coronary thrombosis, but it has been suggested that the blocking of blood flow to the heart was a result of complications caused by a carcinoma in his lungs. The king died on February 6, 1952, at the age of 56.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning writer lost his battle with lung cancer on January 27, 2009. John Updike was 76.
The famous Russian composer died of heart disease and lung cancer on August 9, 1975. Dmitri Shostakovich was 68.
The wife of Richard Nixon and former First Lady of the United States, died of lung cancer on June 22, 1993, aged 81.
The French impressionist painter lost his battle with lung cancer on December 5, 1926. Monet was 86.
Th iconic jazz pianist, composer, and band leader, died of lung cancer and pneumonia on May 24, 1974, at the age of 75.
The American baseball legend who played for the New York Yankees died of lung cancer on March 8, 1999, aged 84.
The American actress and dancer, best know for starring in Hollywood musicals in the '40s and '50s, died of lung cancer on January 22, 2004. Ann Miller was 80.
The silent film star died of lung cancer on February 1, 1966, aged 70.
The actor, writer, and professional baseball and basketball player died of lung cancer on November 10, 1992. He was 71.
The actor, best know for his role in the sitcom 'The Andy Griffith Show' (1960–1968) died of complications of pneumonia related to lung cancer on February 24, 2006. Knotts was 81.
The actor lost his battle with lung cancer on July 24, 2012, at the age of 75.
Sources: (Ranker) (On This Day) (World Health Organization)
See also: Survivors! Stars who battled cancer
The Academy Award-winning actor died after his prostate cancer spread to the colon, bones, and lungs. Cooper left us on May 13, 1961, at 60.
The 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' (1961) and 'The A-Team' (1983–1987) actor died of pneumonia after battling lung cancer and emphysema on May 8, 1994. Peppard passed away at the age of 65.
The Queen of Disco died of lung cancer on May 17, 2012. Donna Summer was 63.
The "King of Cool" died of pleural mesothelioma, a type of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. Steve McQueen left us on November 7, 1980, at the age of 50.
The award-winning actor died from complications of lung cancer and emphysema on July 1, 1997, at the age of 79.
The American actor, best known for his performances in horror films, died of lung cancer on October 25, 1993. Price was 82.
The American entertainer died of large-cell lung carcinoma (a rare type of lung cancer) on May 16, 1984, at the age of 35.
The legendary American jazz pianist and singer died of lung cancer on February 15, 1965, aged just 45.
The lead guitarist of The Beatles passed away on November 29, 2001 following a battle with lung cancer. The "quiet Beatle" was 58.
The famous American singer was diagnosed with lung cancer in September 1993 and died of acute respiratory failure resulting from emphysema on December 25, 1995. He was 78.
The iconic animator, entrepreneur, and film producer, died of "circulatory collapse" caused by lung cancer on December 15, 1966. He was 65.
The Oscar-winning actor, known for movies such as 'The Color of Money' (1986), lost his battle to lung cancer on September 26, 2008. Paul Newman was 83.
The news of Andre Braugher's sudden passing on Dec. 11 2023 shocked fans around the world. His publicist shared that he had died following a "brief illness," and later revealed that he had been diagnosed with lung cancer just a few months before his death. The 61-year-old actor was intensely private, but in a 2014 interview, he stated that he had “stopped drinking alcohol and smoking years ago.” Braugher was best known for playing the beloved Captain Raymond Holt in the comedy series 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' for its eight seasons. He had previously played another stoic police officer in the drama series 'Homicide: Life on the Street' throughout the 1990s. Braugher is remembered fondly by countless co-stars as kind, joyful, and full of music.
In this gallery, we remember the famous people who died of lung cancer. Click through and find out who they are.
Famous people who died of lung cancer
Some of these stars were diagnosed with lung cancer a few months before their death
CELEBRITY Deaths
According to the World Health Organization, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide for both men and women. Of course, this also includes famous people who've lost their battle with the disease. While some stars managed to survive their cancer diagnosis, others sadly succumbed to it.
In this gallery, we remember the famous people who died of lung cancer. Click through and find out who they are.