The Marlboro Man, Darrel Winfield, famous face of the cigarette brand, died on Monday at the age of 85, CNN reported.
He died in Wyoming, but his cause of death was not listed in his obituary.
Sometimes referred to as the most successful tobacco advertisement ever, the Marlboro Man was a reflection of a rugged, free and masculine American man. The ads debuted in the 1950s.
While working at a Wyoming ranch in 1968, Winfield was picked up by the Leo Burnett/Philip Morris Advertising company when it was looking for real cowboys to feature in a Marlboro advertisement.
He provided many of the animals shown in the shoots and wore pieces from his own wardrobe, not a costume.
"His family said he loved horses, rodeo, especially team roping, ranching, and the cowboy way of life," according to his obituary. "He liked to tease, was quite a character, and never met a stranger. He collected bits and spurs, loved to read western non-fiction, history, and stories of the Native Americans."
Other Marlboro men eventually starred in anti-smoking campaigns after becoming turned off to the ads, USA Today reported. Some of the Marlboro Man actors died from illnesses caused by smoking.
"Our condolences go out to his family but we do not have any statements to offer on his passing," said Jeff Caldwell, a spokesman for a representative of the cigarette manufacturer Philip Morris, which makes Marlboro cigarettes.
