( See http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060124/datu074.html?.v=6 )

Twenty Five years ago, mesothelioma took the life of Hollywood legend Steve McQueen. To mark the anniversary of his death, Roger Worthington donated the fee paid by a Hollywood movie production company for the use of his home to mesothelioma medical research.

McQueen's story is well known. After his diagnosis in Los Angeles in 1979, McQueen eschewed conventional therapies for untested nostrums in Mexico, such as laetrile, coffee enemas and cow fetus injections. The Hollywood icon died soon after in 1980.

What's not so well known is the fact that McQueen's cancer was caused by his exposure to asbestos. McQueen purportedly stripped asbestos off of hot pipes on U.S. Navy ships and also wore flame retardant race car driver suits.

BZ Productions, Inc. chose the Worthington home in Dana Point because of it's proximity to the ocean and suitability for a backyard party scene. The movie, "The Death and Life of Bobby Z," was produced by Keith Samples and John Herzfeld.  Laurence Fishburne and Paul Walker star in the action-thriller about a convict who cuts a deal with a crooked DEA agent to pose as a famous surfer turned marijuana dealer

Worthington noted that McQueen was diagnosed the same year Laurence Fishburne's illustrious career began when Fishburne played a U.S. Navy swift boat gunner in the epic Academy Award winning "Apocalypse Now."   Worthington spoke with Fishburne about the prevalence of mesothelioma among Navy veterans and the need to fund medical research. Fishburne expressed support and Worthington is now in contact with Fishburne's publicist about a public endorsement.

Likewise, Worthington talked with Paul Walker about the scourge of asbestos. Walker was well aware of the deadly fiber, as a friend of his family -- a heating/air conditioning mechanic - was recently diagnosed with asbestos disease.  Walker, who like McQueen enjoys performing many of his own high speed stunts, expressed dismay over the lack of a government funded research and treatment program for our war heroes.  Later this year Walker stars in the movie "Flags of our Father", directed by Clint Eastwood.

"Everyone involved with the film was tremendously impressed and moved by Roger's passion for, and commitment to, mesothelioma research," said Keith Samples, the film's producer.  "It's obvious from the first moments you meet Roger that he is a man of incredible drive and intelligence.  He made it clear to us from the beginning that his primary motivation in allowing us to film at his home was the hope that he could bring attention to, and financial support for, the mesothelioma cause.  I don't believe I have ever met a better ambassador for a cause than Roger Worthington.  He educated our entire cast and crew about a disease that few of us were aware of, while making us comfortable and welcome in his home."

In lieu of accepting the movie company's $20,000 rental fee, Worthington donated the money equally between the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (www.marf.org) and the Pacific Heart Lung & Blood Institute (www.phlbi.org), which will conduct research in the Punch Worthington Laboratory.  The "Bobby Z" movie is schedule to hit the theatres in late summer, 2006.

** POSTED JANUARY 16, 2006 **