Television Q&A: Did Yul Brynner make an anti-smoking ad to air after he died?

American Cancer Society in 1986: “This is the most powerful indictment of smoking that we’ve ever produced.”

  • By Rich Heldenfels Tribune News Service (TNS)
  • Sunday, February 16, 2020 1:30am
  • Life

By Rich Heldenfels / Tribune News Service

You have questions. I have some answers.

Q: I seem to remember in the mid or late 1960s that Yul Brynner made an ad that said, “If you see this message, I am dead,” and stated he died from lung cancer caused by smoking. Has my memory failed or am I correct? There’s a friendly, nonmonetary wager on this between my wife and me.

A: Your timing is a bit off, but the memory is pretty good. As the Los Angeles Times reported in 1986, after Brynner’s death in October 1985 an American Cancer Society ad was constructed from a “Good Morning America” interview Brynner had done in January 1985. In the clip used in the ad, Brynner says, “Now that I’m gone, I tell you, don’t smoke. Whatever you do, just don’t smoke.” At the time, an American Cancer Society representative told the Times, “This is the most powerful indictment of smoking that we’ve ever produced.” You can see the ad on YouTube.

Q: I haven’t heard a word about “Ozark” lately. Is it dead?

A: A third season of the Netflix series arrives on March 27. Here’s some of what Netflix says is coming:

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

“It’s six months later, the casino is up and running, but Marty and Wendy are fighting for control of the family’s destiny. Marty preaches keeping the status quo. Aided by an alliance with Helen and drug cartel leader Omar Navarro, Wendy plots for expansion. But when Wendy’s brother Ben comes into town, everyone’s lives are thrown into chaos.”

Q: Could you please tell me if “The Blacklist” has been canceled or when it will return?

A: Not canceled. NBC plans to bring it back sometime in March.

Q: Do you know when “The Godfather of Harlem” is scheduled to return to Epix?

A: On Feb. 12, Epix announced a 10-episode second season of the crime drama starring Forest Whitaker. It did not mention a return date but said production will begin in New York “later this year.”

Q: In an episode of “Columbo” from the early ’90s, the killer who is a famous artist paints a portrait of Columbo (Peter Falk). At the end of the episode there is the reveal of the painting. It’s a very good likeness of Falk. Do you know whatever became of the painting?

A: The portrait was in the “Columbo” installment “Murder, a Self Portrait,” which first aired in November 1989. Mark Dawidziak, author of the definitive history “The Columbo Phile: A Casebook,” confirmed that the painting is in the possession of artist Jaroslav “Jerry” Gebr, whose work has appeared in TV and movies for years. You can find out more at www.gebrart.com. Signed prints of the painting were available at one time, but according to Gebr’s website those are sold out and no more are planned at this time. But Dawidziak noted that fans still post the image online. (And, if you’re really interested in “Columbo” lore, a new edition of “The Columbo Phile” was published in November.)

Do you have a question or comment about entertainment past, present and future? Write to Rich Heldenfels, P.O. Box 417, Mogadore, OH 44260, or brenfelsgmail.com. Letters may be edited. Individual replies are not guaranteed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

The Musical Mountaineers perform at Everett’s McCollum Park on June 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Adopt A Stream Foundation)
Photo courtesy of Adopt A Stream Foundation
The Musical Mountaineers perform at Everett’s McCollum Park on June 14.
Coming events in Snohomish County

Send calendar submissions for print and online to features@heraldnet.com. To ensure your… Continue reading

A woman flips through a book at the Good Cheer Thrift Store in Langley. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Pop some tags at Good Cheer Thrift Store in Langley

$20 buys an outfit, a unicycle — or a little Macklemore magic. Sales support the food bank.

Kim Crane talks about a handful of origami items on display inside her showroom on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Crease is the word: Origami fans flock to online paper store

Kim’s Crane in Snohomish has been supplying paper crafters with paper, books and kits since 1995.

The 2025 GMC Sierra EV Denali full-size pickup truck (Provided by GMC).
2025 GMC Sierra EV pickup is building a lineup

Denali Extended Range and Denali Max Range are just the beginning.

Coming events in Snohomish County

Send calendar submissions for print and online to features@heraldnet.com. To ensure your… Continue reading

Nedra Vranish, left, and Karen Thordarson, right browse colorful glass flowers at Fuse4U during Sorticulture on Friday, June 7, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett’s Sorticulture festival starts Friday

Festivities will include art classes, garden vendors and live music.

The Mukilteo Boulevard Homer on Monday, May 12, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Homer Hedge’: A Simpsons meme takes root in Everett — D’oh!

Homer has been lurking in the bushes on West Mukilteo Boulevard since 2023. Stop by for a selfie.

Ellis Johnson, 16, left, and brother Garrett Johnson, 13, take a breather after trying to find enough water to skim board on without sinking into the sand during opening day of Jetty Island on Friday, July 5, 2019 in Everett, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Epic ways to spice up your summer

Your ultimate guide to adventure, fun and reader-approved favorites!

Everett Music Initiative announces Music at the Marina lineup

The summer concert series will take place each Thursday, July 10 to Aug. 28 at the Port of Everett.

Sarah and Cole Rinehardt, owners of In The Shadow Brewing, on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In The Shadow Brewing: From backyard brews to downtown cheers

Everything seems to have fallen into place at the new taproom location in downtown Arlington

Edie Carroll trims plants at Baker's Acres Nursery during Sorticulture on Friday, June 6, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Sorticulture, Everett’s garden festival, is in full swing

The festival will go through Sunday evening and has over 120 local and regional vendors.

Cascadia College Earth and Environmental Sciences Professor Midori Sakura looks in the surrounding trees for wildlife at the North Creek Wetlands on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Cascadia College ecology students teach about the importance of wetlands

To wrap up the term, students took family and friends on a guided tour of the North Creek wetlands.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.