Patrick Reynolds (actor)

Patrick Reynolds (born December 2, 1954, in Miami Beach, Florida) is an American anti-smoking activist and former actor.

He is the grandson of the tobacco company founder, R. J. Reynolds, and speaks of how he believes his family business has killed millions, including his own father and brother.

Partial filmography

*Civil Wars
*Santa Barbara (TV series)
*Pumping Iron
*All My Children
*"Eliminators" (1986)
*Olivia Newton John Physical (Olivia Newton-John song) music video

ocial Activism

In 1986, concerned by the increasing evidence about the health risks of smoking, Reynolds became an anti-smoking activist. His relationship to the tobacco industry gave him an instant platform, and he has since appeared on many national television programs, including "The Oprah Winfrey Show", "Larry King Live", "The Phil Donahue Show", "The Today Show", "Good Morning America", "CBS This Morning", "Nightline", "Extra" and "Entertainment Tonight". He has also testified before Congress on the health risks of smoking.

In 1989, Reynolds founded The Foundation for a Smokefree America. That same year, Reynolds published "The Gilded Leaf", chronicling three generations of his family and its tobacco business. The book was re-issued in 2006 (ISBN 0-595-83831-6).

Former Surgeon General, C. Everett Koop M.D., called him "one of the nation's most influential advocates of a smokefree America." He continues to speak about smoking to groups, with a focus on high school and elementary school audiences.

References

External links

*
* [http://www.tobaccofree.org/patrick.htm The Foundation for a Smokefree America]