Though most of the celebrity news over the weekend focused on two celebrities who died somewhat unexpectedly, I was saddened by another, far quieter, announcement about a celebrity’s health status last week. Movie legend and philanthropist Paul Newman has been battling cancer and it has now been reported in several media outlets that he has stopped treatment and has returned home to live out his final days.
Newman has always guarded his privacy vigilantly so, of course, the star has not confirmed this report– much like he didn’t confirm his original diagnosis of cancer a few months ago, though the news was leaked by a friend. Still, a picture of Newman in a wheelchair surfaced earlier this month, and it lends credibility to the sad reality that we may soon lose one of Hollywood’s true noblemen.
I have always admired Newman’s acting, of course, but I have admired far more the way he has handled his celebrity with humility, dignity, and integrity. Newman has donated over $250 million to charity through his Newman’s Own brand, but never put his family up for sale to the magazine that was the highest bidder as some kind of fundraiser. He has stayed married to the same woman for fifty years in an era when most celebrity relationships don’t last longer than a few months. He has even made getting older look sexy and cool as he raced cars until just a few years ago.
In digging around the Internet, I found an interesting post on Newman over at jewcy.com calling Newman a mensch. Seems the actor has identified himself in the past with his Jewish roots from his dad’s side of the family. The article didn’t explain the “mensch” reference, and although I have heard the Yiddish word before, I didn’t know exactly know what it was. The American Heritage Dictionary defines mensch as “A person having admirable characteristics, such as fortitude and firmness of purpose.”
So now I know. Newman is a true mensch among men in Hollywood and my prayers are with him and his family
posted August 13, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Such very very sad news.. ‘A True Legend’.. and ‘My Hero’..
My thoughts go out to him and his dear one’s at what I know is a very difficult stage in their lives..
What a remarkable true gentleman at 83 years young.. Thankyou so much for brightening up my life and for so many many years of entertainment..
Paul Newman will certainly be a big part of the rest of my life.. and I am only 47..x
posted August 14, 2008 at 11:02 am
This saddens me so very much, so much that it made me cry. Not only have I always thought Paul Newman the cutest actor and one of the best we have, but I have always admired him for his unselfish ways in giving so much to help others who probably had no hope due to disease and illness. How bitterly ironic that this horrible horrible disease found him. Incredibly he has donated his time and money from Newman’s Own to help so many people in need. What an angel. I hope this news that he has given up treatment is not true, but I know he has been fighting the ugly, dreaded disease known as cancer. I wish it had not found Paul. My prayers to Paul Newman and his family.
posted August 14, 2008 at 11:26 am
I always liked Paul Newman. I`am sorry to hear about the cancer. My
father died of that terrible disease. There is to much pain and sorrow
related to it.
posted August 14, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Mr. Newman probably has been doing the AMA protocol for Cancer. Please tell him about the Cancer Treatment Centers of America. They have cured many people. They have an internet site. Also there are numerous clinics and doctors in the United States that also “cure” poeple. The AMA protocol uses chemo and radiation which is only one part that is needed to cure people of cancer. The people that I knew that have died realized too late that Cancer is a big money maker. I have gone to too many funerals! I also am an admirer of him and his good works.
posted August 14, 2008 at 12:50 pm
I admit, as an actor I only liked the few movies he did in which he showed his funny side (I especially liked “What a Way To Go” with Shirley MacLaine in which he played a painter whose celebrity went to his head). But as a person? I have always bought any Newman product available rather than any other brand. What an excellent human being and father. The dictionary definition of “mensch” that Kris looked up is not really accurate. A mensch is much more than that. A mensch is someone who always does the right thing and always acts in the most decent way possible – the man you would be proud to have for a son, or a father, or to marry your daughter. And who does so with full consciousness. Paul Newman is indeed a real mensch. God bless him and his family. He has done more good than 1000 other celebrities put together. He didn’t squander his money on million dollar weddings – he did the right thing.
posted August 14, 2008 at 12:59 pm
I have always love Paul Newman as an actor. One of the best. I am so sorry to hear about the cancer. I pray deeply that he will heal. He is one of the angels of the world, with his kindness, his beautiful smile that lights up the world. I always thought he is the best looking man in world. God Bless you and your Family.
Lots of Prayer and Love
posted August 14, 2008 at 1:23 pm
The condition of Paul Newman is truly sadenning. He was one of my favorite actors and philanthropists. He showed us that he could make acting seamless and could also benefit society with his entrepreneurship. Newman was not hard on the eyes either.
posted August 14, 2008 at 2:28 pm
What a class act. He handled retirement from the movies rather like Johnny Carson handled retirement from The Tonight Show – by moving on to the next phase of his life with grace. Love Newman’s Own products, especially the salad dressings and lemonades. BTW, “Cool Hand Luke” is a great retelling of the story of the Passion of Jesus Christ. God Bless Paul and his family.
posted August 14, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Paul Newman is a real mensch, a real man among men. His marriage to JoAnn Woodward has been a model for other Hollywood celebraties. His movies showcased his great talent and face it he was physically beautiful as well.
There comes a time when every cancer patient has to face their disease squarely. Not every cancer can be “defeated”, sometimes you just have to submit gracefully to the inevitable. Besides death is not the enemy, it comes to all of us.
I wish him well and thank him and his wife for the great work they’ve done.
Go in peace, Paul.
posted August 14, 2008 at 6:44 pm
I am so terribly saddened by the news of Paul Newmans illness. He was truly the heart and soul of our generation. His attraction went far beyond the pretty facade. He went deep into the hearts of all of us who had the privilege of watching him perform so gracefully. I know, for me, he was one of the great human beings of our time. God bless Paul Newman and his family. They have all done us a great service.
posted August 14, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Paul Newman is an incredible actor and inspiring person who has deeply reached so many through the years. I admire his work and his dedication. Even in early films his work has stood the test of time. He has also made some of his later films instant classics simply because he chose to work on the project. I will be praying for he and his beautiful wife as well as their family during this time. I also pray he will come to know the God of Eternity before he leaves this earth. It is a time of reflection and fear of the unknown. I watch my father go through the same thing. There is a peace knowing your eternity is secured with the savior Jesus Christ. That only takes surrendering your heart to him and believing in His death and resurrection.
posted August 14, 2008 at 8:39 pm
This news is so sad and much to often heard, He is a great man of substance and he has so much PRIDE! To be private and to have a wonderful life and to some how sustain these things in these times where The media is involved amaze’s me! Good for him and may he have lots of family and friends to support him as he goes thorugh these hard times! I say more people need to walk for Cancer it is becoming the number one killer in this country! I am praying hard for him and I know he will be blessed by GOD above he knows our every NEED!
May you have Peace Paul and no suffering!
posted August 14, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Am I the only one who knows that God can heal Paul Newman, and add yrs to his life? The GOD I worship, spoke the worlds into existence, can He not heal one of His most precious creations? All He ask is to stand firm, not faint, and have faith. God will fight all the battles for him. Mr Newman, you are the apple of Gods eye, He knew you before you were born, He knows the number of hairs on your head. He does not want you sick, He’s able to heal and hide you in the palm of His hand, so nothing can come against your health, ever. My God’s mighty power touch you from the top of your head to the soles of your feet, may you feel His nearness every second you’re awake. I will keep you in my prayers. My Gods blessings shower you morning, noon, and night.
posted August 14, 2008 at 11:40 pm
Good on ya, Paul. Thanks for always sharing and being my hero.
posted August 15, 2008 at 12:09 am
My response to, Greenman, who’s statement is, “Death is not the enemy”
The BIBLE says in, ICor15:10, “The last enemy we face,is DEATH.” GOD
wants us all to live throughout Eternity, He always did.
posted August 15, 2008 at 1:38 am
worked on ‘THE VERDICT” with paul and james mason. what an acting lesson…two of the all-time best
posted August 15, 2008 at 8:42 pm
i have always admired paul newman for his genorosity and his faithful marriage. i am saddened to hear of his sickness. i will keep him in my prayers. if its in gods will he remains a while longer then so be it, butif its not then i know in my heart that mr. newman will be going home to his maker and will always be in our hearts and minds. god bless you paul.
posted August 17, 2008 at 11:21 pm
No one need die of Cancer. It is unknown in several areas of the world. An internet search using the terms cancer and cure will turn up a multitude of options…mostly ignored by conventional medicine.
Otto Warburg won a Nobel prize in the early 30′s for identifying what cancer is and has been religiously ignored by mainstream medicals who keep pushing expensive chemotherapy which compromises the patients immune system so that the patient dies of something other than cancer. Since the patient died of something besides cancer, the death is not attributed to cancer, making the chemo-cancer statistic look good.
Dr David Gregg and his Cesium Chloride cure can cure cancer in a couple of weeks for a couple of hundred dollars, but a couple of hundred doesn’t interest the medical-pharmaceutical community that can make a hundred thousand from an unfortunate victim.
The internet is slowly changing this situation. The information that the medical-pharmaceutical community has kept hidden is now available in multiples on the internet for those who are willing to make the effort.
posted August 19, 2008 at 12:00 am
god bless paul newman for all his time and effort he put out for us to enjoy and its always left up to god when he is going to leave us and i hope he is ready to meet his maker from what i know he is a good actor i will keep him in my prayers and may god bless this wonderful man
posted September 5, 2008 at 12:50 pm
God must be getting lonely and is calling home one of his finest creations. My admiration for Paul Newman and his wife are beyond description. Their talent is extraordinary but the way they have conducted their private lives goes even beyond that. Paul Newman is one of the most talented actors of our time and a true and admirable gentleman. I lost my husband to cancer and know the pain his family is going through watching him suffer. My thougts and prayers go out to Paul and his entire family. Thanks, Paul, for letting us witness and enjoy your amazing talent on screen and for showing us how life should be led. God bless and be with you and your family.
posted September 14, 2008 at 9:24 am
God bless this wonderful man, who gave us such a good time with his films. did so many things for so many people. One of those real gentleman! please don’t die! take all the love from your family, friends and fans. Nobody is ready to let you go.
we all love you!
posted September 27, 2008 at 1:03 pm
My condolences to Joanne and the rest of the Newman family.
Paul Newman, a fellow Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity brother of mine was now entered Chapter Eternal. One of Paul’s greatest achievements was founding The Hole in the Wall Camps (HITWC http://www.holeinthewallcamps.org) in 1988. Paul realized that luck can sometimes play a dirty hand to those least deserving… and there are many who can make a major difference to those facing great challenges. The Hole in the Wall Camps were developed to provide children, ages 7 to 17, who battle serious and life threatening illnesses with the opportunity to have a normal summer camp experience. Thousands of children come to camp every year, free of charge, for one week.
They forget about their illnesses and simply get a chance to be a kid. In the words of Brother Newman: “Camp is a place where kids can kick back and raise a little hell.” The Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity adopted The Hole in the Wall Camps as their national charity in 1995. The HITWC philanthropy helps exemplify Phi Kappa Tau’s motto “Building Men Of Character.” Since 1995 several hundred thousand dollars have been donated to the camps and hundreds of men have volunteered as cabin counselors, activity specialists, unit leaders, and other camp staff.
Although we didn’t go to the same University or at the same time I was very proud of Paul. As an alumni brother of the University of Akron Ohio Phi Kappa Tau http://www.akronphitau.com this year we held our 4th Annual Hole In The Wall Charity Classic Golf Outing and it was a great success. With all funds raised go to the newest provisional HITWC The Flying Horse Farms http://www.flyinghorsefarms.org which will open in the summer of 2010 near Mount Gilead, Ohio. Donations are needed to complete the camp in Ohio, plus to maintain and run all Hole In The Wall Camps. Please donate generously!
Another great organization that Paul founded was Newman’s Own http://www.newmansown.com “Shameless Exploitation in Pursuit of the Common Good.” Newman’s Own has grown into a powerful and lasting expression of Paul Newman’s generosity. The Company has generated over $250 million in proceeds that have been donated by Paul Newman and the Newman’s Own Foundation to thousands of charities worldwide.
Cheers Brother Paul we sing our Phi Tau brotherhood song for you!
“We are brothers now and ever
Until the day we die
And when that time comes rollin’ ‘round
And we bid our last good-bye
There is one thing sure and certain
Let us bow our heads in awe
We’ll meet again in heaven sure
In the name of Phi Kappa Tau”
Hear it and download the sheet music at http://www.akronphitau.com/songbook.html
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