The “Scully Effect” And Other Things You Never Knew About The X-Files

The Cigarette Smoking Man Hated Cigarettes

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The actor who portrayed the show’s villain quit smoking decades before the show. William B. Davis had kicked the habit years before starring as the Cigarette Smoking Man but would smoke real cigarettes when in character. Even though he picked up the habit again for the show, he eventually changed to fake, herbal cigarettes.

Davis would often speak out against smoking despite being the face of one of the most infamous smoking characters. He partnered with the Canadian Cancer Society to star in anti-smoking ads. Davis even donates to climate change research and drives an electric Tesla car. He’s the opposite of his character.