Smoking cigars can be relaxing, celebratory, or a social occasion for people of all backgrounds. In fact, there are more than 17.4 million people who smoke cigars regularly, and stores like Thompson Cigar are thriving as they distribute top-quality cigars throughout the country (and beyond).
But what you may not know is how many famous people enjoy (or have historically enjoyed) the taste and occasion of smoking cigars.
Cigar-Loving Celebrities
These actors, politicians, and other celebrities love a good cigar:
- Winston Churchill. Winston Churchill was known for his indulgences, in addition to his wartime bravery and political cunning. He enjoyed some of the best food and drink he could get his hands on, and of course, made the investment in cigars. It’s said that he smoked between 8 and 10 cigars a day, and once convinced the King of Saudi Arabia to waive his prohibition of smoking in his vicinity.
- John F. Kennedy. Another politician, JFK procured 1,000 Petit Upmanns in 1962 before signing an embargo on all Cuban products (which of course, included world-famous Cuban cigars). It’s somewhat ironic that a man who loved cigars so much would prohibit their import in the United States for decades to come.
- Michael Jordan. It’s hard to imagine a professional athlete smoking cigars, with the potential threat to their lungs, but Michael Jordan enjoyed a good cigar even at the height of his athleticism. Even while smoking in the vicinity of his nonsmoking teammates, no one dared call him on the habit.
- Jack Nicholson. Jack Nicholson has smoked cigarettes for years as a way to calm his nerves, but eventually found cigars to be more relaxing. He was introduced to cigars in 1973, on the set of The Last Detail, and has been fond of them ever since. A few decades and 3 Academy Awards later, Nicholson still finds time to light up a good cigar.
- Babe Ruth. It’s hard to picture the legendary baseball player Babe Ruth without a cigar sticking out of his mouth. Also known for his indulgences, when he was off the field, Babe Ruth frequently ate good food, drank good booze, and smoked the best cigars he could find. His habit never interfered with his ability to smash home runs.
- Francis Ford Coppola. Famed director Francis Ford Coppola has enjoyed cigars for many years, but the root of his habit dates back to an introduction from Jack Warner, the former head of Warner Bros. studios. Warner taught Coppola the basics of choosing a good cigar, and how to light them properly. He even left behind a gold-and-silver cigar cutter, which Coppola inherited.
- Sigmund Freud. Sigmund Freud was an especially heavy smoker throughout his lifetime, enjoying nearly 20 cigars a day. Eventually, his habit caught up to him when he developed oral cancer, undergoing 34 surgical procedures before his death. Due to his association with overanalyzing phallic objects, Freud also coined the phrase, “sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.”
- Harrison Ford. Han Solo and Indiana Jones are just two of the notoriously cool characters Harrison Ford has played on screen. Harrison Ford is seen chomping on cigars in many of his pictures, but also enjoys them offscreen.
Enjoying the Habit
Smoking regularly may be harmful for your health, but almost any habit, when employed in excess, can be bad for you. These celebrities make it a point to enjoy individual moments, and celebrate special occasions with top-quality cigars. And for them, the enjoyment of the habit is worth it.
