Remembering Paul Newman, 1925-2008
A quintessential leading man in every sense of the word, Paul Newman was an actor, a director, a producer, a philanthropist, and one-half of Hollywood's longest double-star marriage. Now gone at the age of 83, we lose yet another one of film's icons. Newman had reportedly been battling cancer for years, but would only respond to inquiries with "[I'm] doing nicely."
His filmography is well known; his two partnerships with Robert Redford (in The Sting and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid) defined "buddy movie"; the pair always hoped to reunite once more but never found the right project. He fit well into the role of antihero in films such as Cool Hand Luke, The Hustler, and Hud; the '70s and '80s saw him working with directors such as Martin Scorsese (The Color of Money, for which he won his only Oscar in addition to two honorary ones), Sydney Pollack (Absence of Malice), Sidney Lumet (The Verdict), and even the Coen Brothers (The Hudsucker Proxy).
In the last decade he took smaller roles, with his final on-screen appearance as the father of Daniel Craig in Road to Perdition. His last screen credit was voicing Doc, the cranky aging former champion racer in Disney's Cars, a natural fit for the racing enthusiast who competed as recently as last year.
The man with the famous ice-blue eyes got his start in theater, studying at the Actors Studio with Marlon Brando, James Dean and Karl Malden. Through the stage, he met actress Joanne Woodward, whom he married in 1958 (he had two daughters and one son with his first wife, Jacqueline Witte; his son died in 1978 of an accidental overdose of alcohol and valium). Woodward and Newman have three daughters, and he directed his wife to an Oscar nod in the film Rachel, Rachel. He famously told Playboy magazine he had no intentions to stray from the marriage.: "I have steak at home, why go out for hamburger?"
But no tribute is complete without mentioning his charitable contributions, including a camp for children with cancer and the company Newman's Own, which has donated more than $175 million as of last year. As former co-star Sally Field said upon learning of his death, "Sometimes God makes perfect people. And Paul Newman was one of them."
We leave you with Newman's closing arguments in The Verdict, one of his finest film performances ever. -- Ellen
Doyle Hendrickson on September 27, 2008 at 05:25 PM
What a sad day,,paul newman was a great man, he will always be remembered. He has given millions of dollars to help the unfortuate kids,,,god bless you Mr. newman !
Art Hyland on September 27, 2008 at 08:49 PM
And now he can eat fifty eggs any time he wants to. And George Kennedy can still place side bets on him.
pjsmith on September 28, 2008 at 06:45 AM
His philanthropy is a side issue not to be compared to the incalcuable gift he gave to us all through his artistry.
mike in tn on September 28, 2008 at 02:03 PM
We'll all be gone someday. Mr Newman left a great legacy and we should rejoice at a well lived life. May we model ourselves on such a great man.
Norabee on September 29, 2008 at 11:27 AM
Paul Newman was certainly one of the great ones... and such a Cutie!! I always admired the fact that his marriage was one of the few to last in Hollywood. I'm sure his friends and family are truly sad and I feel for them - rest in peace blue eyes
kathehemmer2 on September 30, 2008 at 08:35 AM
Paul Newman was one of a kind.He was a ladies man,and a man's man.
A real original actor.He played the anti-hero,who came out a hero in some parts.His likes will not be seen again.K.Hemmer,Syracuse,NY