So-called blue man Paul Karason has died at age 62, his wife said this week.
Karason became famous when his skin turned blue about 15 years ago after he used a “special silver-based preparation to treat a skin condition” reported NBC. The condition is known as argyria.
Some people called Karason “Papa Smurf,” his widow Jo Anna Karason told NBC.
“That was a nickname he didn’t appreciate, depending on who said it,” she said. “If it was a kid who ran up to him saying ‘Papa Smurf,’ it would put a smile on his face. But if it was an adult, well ….”
Karason started using the preparation after a bad case of dermatitis.
He also took collodial silver, an alternative medicine.
Karason had multiple other health problems, and was a heavy smoker, said Jo Anna. Paul passed away at a hospital in Washington state.
