( CNN ) Tally-ho , Marlboro Man . Best known as the rugged cowboy who starred in the Marlboro Man cigarette advertisements , Darrell Winfield died Monday at home in Wyoming at age 85 . His cause of death was not listed in his obituary on a Fremont County , Wyoming , news website . Often called the most successful tobacco advertising campaign ever , the Marlboro Man appealed to American men because of his masculinity , individuality and freedom . Though some of the Marlboro Men in the famous cigarette advertisements launched in the 1950s were actors , Winfield was the real thing . Winfield was working at a Wyoming ranch in 1968 when Leo Burnett/Philip Morris Advertising came looking for real cowboys to feature in the campaign , according to his local obituary . He often wore his own clothes and provided many of the animals in the photo shoots . `` His family said he loved horses , rodeo , especially team roping , ranching , and the cowboy way of life , '' according to his obituary . `` He liked to tease , was quite a character , and never met a stranger . He collected bits and spurs , loved to read western non-fiction , history , and stories of the Native Americans . '' Other Marlboro Men became disillusioned with the campaign , eventually starring in anti-smoking campaigns . At least four actors who played the iconic cowboy died of smoking-related illnesses , the Los Angeles Times reported . The Marlboro Man 's run ended when the tobacco companies and state attorneys general reached a settlement in 1998 that banned the use of humans and cartoons in U.S. tobacco advertising . Yet Winfield stayed true to the brand from the time he was hired in 1968 until he died , according to his obituary . He is survived by his wife , Lennie , their six children , three grandchildren and one great-grandchild . People we lost in 2015 .
Old Man Darrell Winfield was a real ##tor . Winfield was the face of many Marlboro Man ads . He stayed loyal to the cigarette company until he died .