Hollywood’s past is filled with glamour – and cigarette smoke. Smoking has been part of Hollywood’s history for decades, from old black-and white films to the modern movie set. Some of the heaviest smokers in Hollywood have made cigarettes a part of their public image both on- and off-screen. This blog will cover famous stars who smoked heavily, their careers, and the health risks they faced. Smoking left its mark on Hollywood’s biggest names, whether it was seen as stylish or a way of coping with stress.
1. Humphrey Bogart
Bogart was the toughest guy in classic Hollywood, who was rarely seen without a cigarette. He smoked heavily both on screen and off, particularly in films like Casablanca. He died at the age of 57 from cancer due to his addiction. He is still one of the popular celebrities who smokes cigarettes.
2. Bette Davis
Known for her bold performances and constant smoking. She was said to smoke four packs of cigarettes a day, and she insisted on smoking during scenes. She smoked four packs a day, which added drama to her performance but later caused health problems. She was among the famous people who smoked and embodied Hollywood’s golden age.
3. Vivien Leigh
Best known by the name Scarlett O’Hara, Vivien smoked four packs of cigarettes per day during filming. Clark Gable, her co-star, smoked continuously. Her habit was exacerbated by the pressures of fame. Her smoking habit makes her list of the heaviest smokers in Hollywood. But this contributed to her poor physical health and death at age 53.
4. Barbara Stanwyck
Stanwyck began smoking at the age of nine and has never stopped. She was known for her tough roles, like Double Indemnity. But she smoked all through her career. As one of the celebrities who smokes, her addiction led to serious health problems, including chronic bronchitis.
5. Audrey Hepburn
Hepburn smoked three packs of cigarettes a day secretly. She was known for her grace and beauty. She joined the ranks of actresses who smoke cigarettes, despite rarely being seen on screen. She kept her smoking habit hidden from fans, but it contributed to her health decline and to an early death due to cancer.
6. Tallulah Bankhead
She reportedly smoked between 100-120 cigarettes a day, which made her list among the heaviest smokers in Hollywood. She embraced smoking as part of her image, despite her wild personality and raspy voice. Her habit made her suffer from emphysema and other smoking-related illnesses.
7. Irene Ryan
Ryan was known as Granny in The Beverly Hillbillies. She was a chain smoker who lit one cigarette after the other. She was among the popular female celebrity smokers. Her smoking probably contributed to her stroke and brain tumour that ultimately ended her life.
8. Jackie Kennedy
A personality who was admired for her elegance smoked secretly three packs of cigarettes a day. Her hidden smoking habit, despite her rarely being photographed with a smoke, earned her a place among the top 10 heaviest smokers in Hollywood. Her smoking reflected the era’s glamorization of tobacco, even among the most popular public figures.
9. Suzanne Pleshette
The star of The Birds, Suzanne, smoked up to three packs a day. She was one of the heaviest smokers in Hollywood. Her habit led to lung cancer, and she died in 2008.
10. Leonardo DiCaprio
DiCaprio can be seen vaping or smoking on film sets. Despite growing health awareness, he remains among the heaviest smokers in Hollywood. This habit shows how smoking is still prevalent in Hollywood today, even among the health-conscious stars.
11. Lady Gaga
Gaga is not shy about mentioning that she smokes while creating music and preparing for her roles. Being a smoking actress, she sees smoking cigarettes as a part of her creative process. Her candor about her habit contrasts the old Hollywood secrecy and shows how attitudes towards celebrity smoking have changed in today’s media landscape.
12. Michael Fassbender
The star of X-Men and Steve Jobs is often seen rolling and smoking cigarettes. His image as one of the heaviest smokers in Hollywood reflects his intense and committed personality. Although he is admired for the quality of his work, the long-term health effects of his smoking are a concern.
13. Emily Blunt, Kristen Stewart
Both are stars who smoke and are often seen with cigarettes. Blunt’s relaxed style and Stewart’s rebellious appearance show how smoking is still popular in Hollywood. Their public visibility shows how difficult it can be for people to give up smoking in a world that is so image-driven and high-pressure.
14. Ben Affleck, Matt Damon
Frequently spotted smoking on set, both faced challenges quitting cigarettes. Affleck, who has tried to quit smoking multiple times, shows that even the most successful actors can struggle with addiction.
15. Kate Winslet
Once described herself as a serious smoker, Winslet started her day with cigarettes during Titanic. She later stopped smoking, but her history made her one of the heaviest smokers in Hollywood for a time. Her decision to quit smoking reflects a growing awareness about the risks of smoking, even among celebrities.
