Respected Hollywood columnist, Army Archerd, died yesterday at 87 years of age. The cause was mesothelioma.
Archerd had worked in Navy shipyards during World War II, where he was exposed to lethal amounts of asbestos. Known for its lengthy latency period, it took years before the true effects of his asbestos exposure manifested as this particular type of lung cancer. His wife, Selma, stated that during the last two years of his life, and especially the last weeks, he became increasingly ill as the mesothelioma took hold.
He was a highly respected Variety columnist often credited as bringing the seriousness of AIDS to national attention when he reported that Rock Hudson had the disease. Perhaps through his passing he has highlighted another deadly antagonist deserving of attention and concern: asbestos exposure.
I’m so sorry to hear about this. R.I.P. Army,… and my condolences and Best Wishes to your family.