Noth promoting life insurance awareness

ARLINGTON, Va., July 13 (UPI) -- U.S. television actor Chris Noth says he has agreed to speak publicly about his father's death to help promote National Life Insurance Awareness Month.

The former "Sex and the City" and "Law & Order" star, whose father and grandfather were both life insurance agents, is to address the need for life insurance in a series of public service announcements through National Life Insurance Awareness Month in September, the Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education has announced.

Noth was 9 years old when his father died in a car accident, leaving behind Noth's mother to raise him and his two brothers on her own, the organization said.

"Fortunately, as an agent, Noth's father understood the value of life insurance and was adequately insured," the group added. "The proceeds from his insurance helped Noth's family during that difficult time and enabled his single, working mother to put three sons through college. Noth will draw on that experience to help Americans understand that in today's difficult economic climate, the need for life insurance protection is more important than ever."

"These are difficult times and many families are struggling. Especially at a time like this, life insurance can be that safety net that catches a family when tragedy strikes," Noth said in a statement. "I know from personal experience that life insurance can be the bedrock of a family's financial security. That's why I'm proud to be working with the LIFE Foundation to share my story and help educate Americans about the need to plan for life's uncertainties. A family's financial future is too important to leave to chance."