Paul Newman: A Tribute to the Larger Than Life Legend

It is reported that Paul Newman, while battling cancer, returned to his Connecticut home to spend his last days of life with his wife, Joanne Woodward and his children. I pray for their strength and courage as I remember Paul Newman, my favorite actor of all time.

Paul Leonard Newman made his first movie, The Silver Chalice in 1954, two years before I was born. Newman actually apologized for how bad the movie was, but in 1956 Newman redeemed himself in Somebody Up There Likes Me. I cannot recall how many times I have seen Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, The Color of Money or the countless other Paul Newman movies in my lifetime. There has not been another gorgeous hunk of an acting team like Paul Newman and Robert Redford in my lifetime.

I love Paul Newman not just because he is one of the greatest actors of my generation, but also because Newman is the extraordinary example of life, love, family, and generosity that all people should aspire to be. I love Paul Newman's sense of humor as shown in his quotes about life, humor and his marriage to Joanne Woodward.

My Favorite Paul Newman Quotes

About infidelity: "Why fool around with hamburger when you have steak at home?"

About successful marriage to Joanne: "I never ask my wife about my flaws. Instead I try to get her to ignore them and concentrate on my sense of humor. You don't want any woman to look under the carpet, guys, because there's lots of flaws underneath. Joanne believes my character in a film we did together, 'Mr. and Mrs. Bridge' comes closest to who I really am. I personally don't think there's one character who comes close . . . but I learned a long time ago not to disagree on things that I don't have a solid opinion about." Later, Newman answered the same question yet again by saying, "I don't know what she puts in my food".

About his Newman's Own: "Once you've seen your face on a bottle of salad dressing, it's hard to take yourself seriously." "The embarrassing thing is that my salad dressing is out-grossing my films." "You can only put away so much stuff in your closet."

About starring in a sequel to Indecent Proposal with Robert Redford: "Like a rocket! I'd shack up with anyone for a million dollars. I'd shack up with a gorilla for a million, plus 10 percent."

About people: "I'm a supporter of gay rights. There are so many qualities that make up a human being... by the time I get through with all the things that I really admire about people, what they do with their private parts is probably so low on the list that it is irrelevant."

Interesting Facts About Paul Newman the Legend

Paul Newman is Jake Gyllenhaal's Godfather.

Paul Newman accepted parts originally turned down by Elvis Presley in the movies Cat on A Hot Tin Roof (1958) and Sweet Bird of Youth (1962). But, Newman turned down the role of Quint in Jaws.

One of Paul Newman's only regrets in life is that his father, Arthur who died in 1950, did not see his acting success.

Paul Newman was on Richard Nixon's Enemies List during the Watergate scandal. Newman was once quoted as saying, "A man with no enemies is a man without character." He also said, "Being on President Nixon's enemies list was the highest single honor I've ever received."

Paul Newman and Frank Sinatra are the only actors to win an Actor Academy Award, an Humanitarian Academy Award and a Special Honorary Academy Award.

Paul Newman claims to have signed over 500 autographs reading "Best wishes, Marlon Brando" since he was often mistaken for Brando.

Paul Newman is only one of five actors nominated for an Oscar twice for playing the same role in two separate films. He played Fast Eddie Felson in The Hustler (1961) and in The Color of Money (1986). Newman is also one of only five actors to be nominated for Oscars over five decades.

Paul Newman was born in 1925 in Cleveland, Ohio. His father was of Hungarian and Polish heritage and his mother was of Hungarian heritage. By 1950 Newman enlisted in the Navy to become a pilot but was found to be colorblind. Newman did serve in the Navy as a rear gunner of a TBF Avenger torpedo bomber. Newman was also kicked out of Ohio University for bad behavior. Newman ultimately became a student at New York Actor's Studio.

Paul Newman was nominated for an Academy Award ten times and won the Best Actor Oscar in 1986 for his role in The Color of Money. In 1985, Newman was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Oscars and awarded an honorary Oscar in 1993 for his charity work. Newman also directed his wife, Joanne Woodward, in the 1968 film Rachel, Rachel that received an Oscar nomination for Best Picture.

Newman actually met Joanne Woodward in 1953 when they were both understudies for the Broadway play Picnic. Newman was married at the time and had three children from his first marriage. Paul and Jackie divorced and in January 1958, Paul and Joanne were married and later had three daughters. During their 50-year marriage, Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward have built a philanthropic empire, a racing business, The Hole In The Wall Gang Camp, a summer camp for children with cancer and other blood-related diseases, a fall "Discovery" program for inner city kids, and a restaurant called the Dressing Room.

My heartfelt wishes go out to Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, and Newman's children as they cope with Paul Newman's cancer. Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward live in Westport, Connecticut where Newman recently returned home after chemotherapy treatment. Paul Newman, you are an inspiration to all the people in the world who had the privilege of enjoying your talent, learning from your philosophy about life and love, and following your generous example for helping others. You will always be number one in my heart and soul.

Source:

Paul Newman Biography
The Internet Movie Database