ROBERT “BOB” NORRIS, who played the iconic Marlboro Man for more than a decade in the ‘60s, has died at his Colorado ranch at 90. According to multiple sources, Norris was never a smoker.

“If any man could be described in three words, for Bob they would be, ‘The real deal.’ His solid authenticity, whether astride a horse, sitting in a board room, mentoring a child, or sharing a moment with a friend, was his personal and professional brand. No doubt it was these qualities — along with his tall, ruggedly handsome, lanky good looks — that landed him the unexpected role of the first Marlboro Man on television,” a statement on the ranch’s website said.

Norris, who was “never a smoker,” was featured in the commercials for 14 years. He abandoned the advertising campaign when Norris “felt he was setting a poor example for his children,” the statement added.

Norris landed the high-profile ad campaign for the Philip Morris cigarette brand by happenstance, his son Bobby Norris said. He said advertising executives sought out his father after spotting him in a newspaper photo alongside a famous friend of his with connections in Hollywood, John Wayne.

“They walked out of their car and they walked up to Dad and said, ‘How would you like to be in commercials for Marlboro cigarettes?’” the son said. “He said, ‘Well, I’m kind of busy right now. Why don’t you come back next week, and, if you’re serious, we’ll talk.’” They went back, of course, and shot 2,000 photos, he said.

The Gazette newspaper reported Norris’ discovery a little differently: His ranch was chosen as a place to shoot an ad campaign, and Norris was such an authentic cowboy that they wanted him in front of the lens, too.

(SD-Agencies)