The Life of American Hero and Old Hollywood Icon Audie Murphy

Although deeply in debt, Audie reportedly turned down substantial offers to advertise cigarettes and alcoholic drinks. He did not smoke and rarely drank, making such endorsements inconsistent with his own habits.

He also believed promoting those products would set a poor example for the younger people who admired him as a soldier and actor. The decision cost him badly needed income, but he protected the public standards attached to his name. Then Hollywood offered him a startling new role.