Remembering Paul Gleason

This Memorial Day we celebrated our fallen veterans, honoring their heroic sacrifice for our country. In remembrance, we also recognize a hidden enemy of our veterans, responsible for countless lives lost, asbestos. While we were reflecting on those who gave their lives, another anniversary reminds us that mesothelioma doesn’t discriminate.

On May 27th, 2006, Hollywood actor Paul Gleason passed away from malignant mesothelioma. The culprit suspected for his diagnosis was asbestos exposure from construction sites he worked on as a teenager with his father. Gleason, who was famous for his roles in Die Hard, The Breakfast Club, Trading Places, and made-for-television, full-feature film, Ewoks: The Battle for Endor, was 67 years old.

We hope that his story will remind those who may be at risk for asbestos exposure to remain vigilant in protecting themselves  We need to fight back against mesothelioma. As Mr. Gleason so famously said in The Breakfast Club:

“If you mess with the bull, you’ll get the horns.”

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Paul Gleason

  • How did paul gleason die?

    • Paul Gleason died of mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. According to his sister, Paul was exposed as a teenager in the 1950s while helping his father do construction work. He passed away in May 2006 at the age of 67.

  • How did Paul Gleason get mesothelioma?

    • Paul Gleason was exposed to asbestos during his career as an actor, which ultimately led to his diagnosis of mesothelioma. Asbestos was commonly used in many building and insulation materials during the time period in which Gleason was working, and unfortunately, exposure to this hazardous substance can lead to the development of mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

  • How did Steve McQueen get asbestos exposure?

    • Steve McQueen was exposed to asbestos during his time working in a shipyard before he joined the U.S. Marine Corps. He may have also had some exposure in the Marine Corps and later while working on film sets, where asbestos was commonly used in insulation and fireproofing materials. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 1979 and passed away from the disease in 1980.

  • When did steve mcqueen die?

    • Steve McQueen died on November 7, 1980.

    Sources & Author

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About the Writer, Devin Golden

Devin Golden is a content writer for Mesothelioma Guide. He produces mesothelioma-related content on various mediums, including the Mesothelioma Guide website and social media channels. Devin's objective is to translate complex information regarding mesothelioma into informative, easily absorbable content to help patients and their loved ones.