Not even in the news-crazy political season that we’re in could the news of Paul Newman’s passing not make the front pages. He was sort of the closest thing we’ve had to a legend in our generation, and he would have been more so had he not worked so hard against it.
As an actor, philanthropist, race car driver, entrepreneur and quiet political activist, he did almost all he could to lift up causes and people rather than himself. Further, he did what so few public figures do today: he cared more about his core convictions than he did building his personal brand.
He’s being praised by so many of his peers, and deservedly so. This is what Russell Crowe had to say, and those who worked for his charity, and those who worked for his racing team, and Casey Davis at The Paul Page. Both the New York Times and the L.A. Times were also generous.
I was too young to really appreciate some of his oldies as I only saw them on DVD, including “Cat On A Hot Tin Roof” (1958), “The Hustler” (1961), “Hud” (1963), and “Cool Hand Luke” (1967), all which garnered him Academy Award nominations. Like many, my first exposure to him was in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” (1969). I didn’t realize what a rarity it was that he and Robert Redford were “reunited” only three years later in “The Sting,” my favorite movie of all time.
My favorite Newman roles were in 1982′s “Absence of Malice” and 1983′s “The Verdict.” In both, he continued his penchant for playing anti-heroes while also representing the common man’s thirst for a life that mattered and choices that made a difference. He finally won an Oscar for 1986′s “The Color of Money.”
I’ve found no evidence of him talking much about his faith, but he sure lived the life of someone who’d read Jesus’ words and took them seriously. He didn’t call attention to himself. He raised up the efforts of others. He wasn’t a braggart. He gave away all of the profits. He had a great laugh. He defied definition. The “Newman’s Own” brand, the $200-million plus that’s gone to charity and the “Hole in the Wall Camp’s” influence on mentally ill children will be his legacy far more than the young rebel of his early films or the gentle redeeming force of the rest.
And in the end, cancer got him. But his success didn’t–a lesson so many who followed him might even learn form. There will no doubt be lots of retrospectives counting down his top movies and top movie lines, and I’ll enjoy ‘em all. But what I’ll never forget is how a good lookin’ guy played down and out characters with a human elevation that helped me believe I could accomplish more..
And, as I’ve written in my other Newman blog post, he delivered some of the most relentlessly simple and profoundly humorous movie lines in history, an art that I’ve tried to borrow from in my career for a long, long time.
posted September 29, 2008 at 4:22 pm
A life well lived, will be remembered well.
posted September 29, 2008 at 5:35 pm
I’ve found no evidence of him talking much about his faith, but he sure lived the life of someone who’d read Jesus’ words and took them seriously.
Sure, because he was a nice Jewish boy from Shaker Heights – really!:)
posted September 29, 2008 at 10:01 pm
May the Goddess embrace him.
He was a rare breed of man, and will be missed by many, for all his contributions to this world.
posted September 30, 2008 at 7:00 am
May he rest with the Lord, because he was put down here to do the Lord’s work in a way that needed to be done. And he did as no one publically has that I know of, at least not of Paul’s stature has ever done anything like Paul accomplished as well as Paul did.
posted September 30, 2008 at 10:49 am
Paul Newman was one of my favorite actors. His charm and charisma was very unique. I do not think as a man he was overly flaunting of this quality, but it certainly projected itself on the screen. His older movies are my favorite, partly becuase of the cast he worked with, and becuase of his handsome good looks that he possessed.He will be missed by all I am certain, and certainly for his acting.
posted September 30, 2008 at 11:51 am
Until we all meet again.You certainly showed us the way to live.There are a few Hollywood celebrities that fit his catagory.Robert Redford,and I believe Brad Pitt as he matures will join these wonderful men.
posted September 30, 2008 at 10:35 pm
He was one of the best
posted September 30, 2008 at 10:45 pm
PAUL NEWMAN WAS THE ONLY ACTOR WHO WAS THE ONLY ACTOR I KNOW WHO STAYED MARRIED TO HIS WIFE. HE NEVER HAD FOUR OR FIVE MARRIAGES UNDER HIS BELT. ALL OF THE PROCEEDS FROM HIS SALAD DRESSINGS WENT TO CHARITIES. MY THOUGHTS GO OUT TO HIS WIFE AND FAMILY AND I HOPE SHE CONTINUES WITTH THE SALAD DRESSINGS.
posted October 1, 2008 at 8:40 am
When ever I hear of another great person going home to be with our Father I get a little sad brcause of what the person did on this earth
Paul Newman and Robert Redford have been my favorites from when I was a child and Mom would have me watch a fimn with her
As I grew up so did my love for what ever Paul Newman starred in and I have enjoyed many years of his great works and will untill it is my time to go home to our Father
I just want to thank this great man for the work he has done here in Jesus name He will be missed by so many and one day I hope to meet him in heaven and personally thank him for who he waS ON THIS EARTH My prayers go out to his family that they may feel jesus near as they go on with out Paul God Bless you a friend in the LORD teresa
posted October 1, 2008 at 2:21 pm
I would likevery much for this, if possible, to be forwarded to the Newman family.
I, like millions, loved Paul Newman. I am not the sort of male to “love” another male in most instances. But I admired, looked up to,
tried to emulate, and simply just plain thought he was the “coolest/sharpest” thing sliced bread!!
He was a mans man! The real deal! If in real
life that is not the actual way he was just keep it quiet for there are not many REAL men in todays society.
I enjoyed his work and everything I ever read about him! I do not go to the theaters much
now because the type movies he made are few
and far between. And that is sad that someone
that actually had the ability to accomplish
the things he did has no one to leave that
ability to carry on.
God put Paul Newman on the screen to reach a
certain type man. And Mr. Newman did just that.He had the heart of a lion, the courage
of a warrior, and the personal convictions of
a priest.
To Ms. Woodward and family THANK YOU for
sharing him with the WORLD! Hell fire we
need heroes like him NOW in todays world!
Thank you for your time………………
GOD bless,
Lanny Daniels
posted October 1, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Paul Newman was the greatest actor of his generation, and a class act
besides…I loved his work, especially his films with Robert Redford, “Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid,” and of course “The Sting.”
In today’s culture it says something that he stayed married to Joanne
Woodward for over half a century, and my heart goes out to her and his family. May he rest in peace.
posted October 1, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Paul Newman leaves a huge hole in many peoples’ lives, including mine. He was my hero, someone I ALWAYS enjoyed watching in a movie, which was as close as I ever came to this icon. What a great actor, and fine human being with such a huge heart, this man was. He will be sorely missed.
posted October 26, 2008 at 6:33 pm
FYI: Paul Newman was Jewish. He exemplefied the teachings of Judaism about charity, modesty, decent living, loving one’s fellowman.