Paul Newman

Another cinema icon has passed away this weekend, and one more link with the old, classic Hollywood has gone with him. Paul Newman was many things: a marvelous actor, a director/producer, a sex symbol, a race car driver, a philanthropic entrepenour, and a family man. He lived his life his way, and he was admired and loved by millions.

When he catapulted to stardom in the mid-50's, he was adored by millions of women who were mesmerized by his blue eyes, chiseled looks, and moody countenance. He played rascals and rebels, loners and con men. His early output of films reads like a list of classics: "Somebody Up there Likes Me", "Cat on a Hot tin Roof", "The Long Hot Summer", "Sweet Bird of Youth", "Exodus", "The Hustler", "Hud". He starred in off-beat message westerns, such as "The Left Handed Gun", playing Billy the Kid, and "Hombre", playing a half-breed Apache facing social and racial prejudice. And, of course, the classic "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid", where he was teamed with Robert Redford for the first time.

In the 70's and 80's, he started to play in message films. He received Academy Award nominations for his brilliant roles in "Absence of Malice" and "The Verdict." He tempered these serious films with films of pure entertainment value, the wonderfully profane ode to minor league hockey, "Slap Shot", the us-against-the-world parable of the New York Police Department, "Fort Apache, the Bronx", and that wonderful throwback to the old Hollywood con-artist film, "The Sting", which re-teamed Newman with Robert Redford and director George Roy Hill, and won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Despite ten nominations, Newman won only one time, for the reprisal of his role as Fast Eddie Felson in Martin Scorcese's "The Color of Money." He had played the role to perfection previously in "The Hustler", and was probably robbed of an Academy Award at that time. The Oscar he received seemed more like a lifetime achievement award, and if that is the case, so be it. We can regard it as a make-up award for losing out for "The Hustler", and "Hud", and "The Verdict", and on and on.

Newman was married twice, the second time to actress JoAnne Woodward. They celebrated their 50th anniversary earlier this year, and I defy anyone to name another Hollywood power couple who lasted even close to that long. Newman was famously faithful to his wife, and when asked why he didn't avail himself of the throngs of women who wanted to have sex with him, stated: "I go home and have steak every night, why would I want to substitute that with hamburger?"

The Newmans became philanthropic in the 80's. They started "Newman's Own" line of salad dressing, popcorn, and pasta sauce. All the proceeds went to charity. They created the Hole in the Wall Gang youth ranches for disabled children. They stumped for political causes and candidates they believed in, such as Eugene McCarthy and George McGovern. They famously and vocally protested the Vietnam War, and Newman was proud to have made Richard Nixon's legendary enemies list. When Newman's son from his first marriage died of a drug overdose, they founded their own drug rehabilitation clinic and devoted themselves to that cause.

Newman's passion was race car driving, a passion he did not begin until middle age. Like everything else he did, he plunged into racing with energy and enthusiasm. He won amateur championships, and finished second one year at Le Mans. He was clearly a man who lived life to the fullest, and was not afraid to go for what he wanted.

Paul Newman personified class. A towering actor, a fine Oscar-nominated director, a succesful philanthropic businessman, and a reckless daredevil, he was never afraid to be the man he wanted to be. Paul Newman was above all, a devoted and dedicated family man who placed his wife and children first. He was an original, and an icon, and he will be sincerely missed.