MovieChat Forums > Miguel Ferrer Discussion > Was He a Smoker?

Was He a Smoker?

posted 8 years ago by dwhw
4 replies | jump to latest

The first time I saw Miguel Ferrer in *anything* he was playing a two-pack-a-day smoker. "Dr. Susan Lewis" has his X-rays up on the chart, and she reluctantly implies to him that he has lung-cancer and will be dead within about six months. One of his responses is to pick up a pack of cigarettes and say something like, "I guess I won't have to give these up, then."

I know he died of throat cancer, and am wondering if smoking was the cause. I have no wish to be morbid, but would like to know if his death was another case of "life imitating art."

[–] kparkslpn 8 years ago

There is no way of knowing what caused his cancer. Throat cancer can be caused by many different things. Just a few examples are alcohol, dipping/chewing tobacco, smoking, genetics, being around a smoker, the air pollution in LA, and even certain movie sets depending on location. I was watching a program where they stated a movie that John Wayne was in had almost sick workers in the years to come with about 75 reports of cancer because they were shooting on land that was once used as a radioactive test site for the military and the cast and crew weren't aware of just how much exposure they would be experiencing. Especially when some of that dirt was dug up and brought into a studio for some "blue screen" shots. You never know and I doubt we will be told. Such a sad day and I pray for his family and friends. NCIS:LA will miss him. #flyhigh&shine bright_with_our_brocko

[–] Drtomclay (1) 6 years ago

Ferrer was a heavy smoker that was not publicized, similar to Gracie Allen and other celebrities who concealed their smoking from the public (including Lucille Ball). Gracie died of heart disease before coronary artery interventional techniques were available. It was impossible with the technology of the time (and still is to some extent) to objectively determine specific cause but heavy smoking is strongly associated with premature cancers of all types, including throat cancer and CVD. Clinically, it is rare to see throat cancer in individuals who are not heavy smokers and drinkers.

[–] Lord Rake (4454) 9 months ago

Bad pussy is the leading cause of throat cancer globally today, as much as I think smoking and drinking are foolish and unhealthy things to do, the statistics are clear about the main cause. And Miguel looks like he had his share of it.

[–] earl237 (1106) 8 years ago

I remember that, it was the first episode of ER, I didn't know it was him at the time. He is missed.