Christian Haren

Christian Haren (February 1, 1935 – February 27, 1996) was an American actor, model and community activist.

Early life

Haren was born in San Bernardino County, California. He attended school and colleges in San Bernardino. In his 20s he served in the United States Army during the 1950s.[1]

Acting career

In the 1960s Haren received a studio contract from MGM and starred in Vincente Minnelli's Bells Are Ringing, Otto Preminger's In Harm's Way, and Billy Rose's Jumbo. He starred on Broadway in the Bertolt Brecht play The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, produced by Tony Richardson.[2]

He is best remembered for playing the role of the Marlboro Man in print advertisements in the early 1960s.

Activism

Haren was openly gay and the proprietor of the popular Palm Springs gay bar CC Construction Co. in later years. In 1985 he was diagnosed with AIDS and became active in AIDS prevention education. He started "The Wedge", a "safe sex" AIDS prevention organization for teens in San Francisco.[3][4]

Death and legacy

Haren died in 1996 in San Francisco, California of complications from AIDS, at the age of 61.[5]

His life was the subject of the 1998 documentary short Castro Cowboy.[6]

References

  1. ↑
  2. ↑
  3. ↑ "Teens Air Views on Sex, AIDS", San Francisco Chronicle, (12/25/1988)
  4. ↑
  5. ↑ LA Times obituary
  6. ↑ Castro Cowboy imdb


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