I’m aware that this escapee from an episode of Gunsmoke was pretty much exclusively reaching out to the male population. On a personal level, I find it difficult to see how this image would convince anyone to eat a bowl of Ben and Jerry Chunky Monkey ice-cream let alone smoke. I know I’m in the minority – probably suffering from a lack of the All American yippie aye o khaya gene. Obviously the character’s longevity as a ciggy hawker was an unmatched success. Well bully for him. And, in the tradition of reaping what you sow - I do hope the old cow poke and everyone who profited from this campaign suffered a selection of the same maladies their lovely product caused.

Sexy in his own way.

Had crossover success in the late 70's a member of the Village People. Retired from cigarette marketing to pursue films full-time, starting with that movie with co-star Heath Ledger. Easily the gayest commercial icon of all time, after Anita Bryantt.

"Marlboro Man" was supposed to represent the rugged macho outdoors type man, that didnt give a crap about nothin'. Sadly the original Marlboro Man died of lung cancer.

The print ads never did much for me, but the TV commercials were great. Good-looking, masculine men enjoying their smokes out on the open range. It's no wonder that Marlboros became the most popular cigarette in history. When you have a great ad campaign and a great product, success is easy.

Say whatever you like about the product and its deadly effects, but this was an inspired and inspiring piece of advertising.

'The Marlboro Man' was picked as the 2nd greatest advertising campaign in American history by advertising expert (and English professor) James Twitchett.  I disagree; it is the best ever.  After Coca-Cola, this is probably the most recognized American brand world-wide.

BillyBrownlow45 says...Buy this man an oxygen tank...cuz with ALL THE MARLBOROS he's smoked, he's gonna need one!

he ruined lives.

Tries to make smoking look cool. Sorry, bub, it simply isn't!