Paul Newman

Who Was Paul Newman?

Paul Newman, an iconic American actor, rose to fame after shifting his focus from athletics to acting following his dismissal from his college football team. He made his Broadway debut in 1953 and subsequently appeared in numerous television shows and films, earning recognition as one of the most distinguished actors of his generation. In addition to his successful acting career, Newman founded Newman’s Own, a food company that donates all profits to charitable causes. He passed away from cancer on September 26, 2008.

Early Life and Career

Paul Leonard Newman was born on January 26, 1925, in Cleveland, Ohio. He was raised in Shaker Heights alongside his older brother, Arthur, by their parents, Arthur and Teresa. His father operated a sporting goods store, while his mother, a homemaker with a passion for theater, introduced Newman to the performing arts through school plays, although acting was not his primary interest at that time.

In high school, Newman was a dedicated football player with aspirations of becoming a professional athlete. He graduated in 1943 and briefly attended college before enlisting in the U.S. Navy Air Corps, where he initially aimed to become a pilot. However, due to colorblindness, he was unable to fly and instead served as a radio operator during World War II in the Pacific Theater.

After completing his military service in 1946, Newman returned to Ohio to attend Kenyon College on an athletic scholarship, where he played football. However, after encountering some disciplinary issues that led to his expulsion from the football team, Newman redirected his focus to theater. In a 1998 interview with Interview magazine, he reflected, “I got thrown in jail and kicked off the football team. Since I was determined not to study very much, I majored in theater the last two years.”

Upon graduating in 1949, Newman began performing in summer stock theater in Wisconsin, where he met his first wife, actress Jacqueline Witte. They married soon after, and Newman continued to act until his father’s death in 1950, which prompted the couple to return to Ohio to manage the family business. Their first child, a son named Scott, was born during this time. After handing over the business to his brother, Newman and his family moved to Connecticut, where he enrolled at the Yale School of Drama.

After a year at Yale and facing financial challenges, Newman left the program to pursue acting in New York City. He studied under Lee Strasberg at the Actor’s Studio, where he trained alongside notable figures such as Marlon Brando, James Dean, and Geraldine Page.

Newman’s Broadway debut came in 1953 with William Inge’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Picnic. During rehearsals, he met Joanne Woodward, who was working as an understudy. Although they felt a mutual attraction, Newman, who was still married, did not pursue a romantic relationship. Around this period, Newman and Jacqueline welcomed their second child, a daughter named Susan. Picnic enjoyed a successful 14-month run, allowing Newman to support his growing family while he began to establish a presence in the burgeoning medium of television.

Paul Newman: A Cinematic Journey

The Silver Chalice (1954)

In 1954, Paul Newman made his film debut in The Silver Chalice, a role that received overwhelmingly negative reviews. However, Newman found greater success on Broadway that same year with The Desperate Hours, a Tony Award-winning play where he portrayed an escaped convict terrorizing a suburban family. During this period, he and his first wife welcomed their third child, a daughter named Stephanie.

Somebody Up There Likes Me (1956) and The Left-Handed Gun (1958)

Newman’s resurgence in Hollywood followed a successful television appearance in Philco Playhouse, where he starred in “The Death of Billy the Kid,” penned by Gore Vidal. This collaboration with director Arthur Penn continued with Newman taking on roles in both Somebody Up There Likes Me (1956), in which he portrayed real-life boxer Rocky Graziano, and The Left-Handed Gun (1958), an adaptation of Vidal’s earlier teleplay about Billy the Kid. These performances showcased Newman’s acting prowess and garnered critical acclaim.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)

In 1958, Newman starred as Brick in the film adaptation of Tennessee Williams’ Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, alongside Elizabeth Taylor. His portrayal of a hard-drinking ex-athlete struggling with personal demons earned him his first Academy Award nomination, dispelling the notion that he was merely a handsome face.

The Long Hot Summer (1958)

The Long Hot Summer (1958) marked the first significant on-screen collaboration between Newman and Joanne Woodward, who became his wife later that year. Their personal relationship blossomed as Newman transitioned back to Broadway for the original production of Williams’ Sweet Bird of Youth, co-starring the esteemed Geraldine Page and directed by Elia Kazan.

Exodus (1960) and The Hustler (1961)

Newman’s career trajectory continued to rise with his role in Otto Preminger’s Exodus (1960), which explored the founding of the state of Israel. The following year, he starred in The Hustler (1961), portraying Fast Eddie, a small-time pool shark. This performance solidified his status as a leading actor and earned him a second Academy Award nomination.

Hud (1963)

In Hud (1963), Newman took on the title role of an arrogant, morally ambiguous cowboy. The film’s promotional material labeled him “the man with the barbed wire soul,” and his portrayal of this complex antihero garnered critical acclaim and yet another Academy Award nomination.

Cool Hand Luke (1967)

Newman delivered a memorable performance as a rebellious inmate in Cool Hand Luke (1967), winning over audiences with his charm and conviction. This role led to his fourth Academy Award nomination and established him as a resilient figure in the face of authority.

The following year, he made his directorial debut with Rachel, Rachel (1968), featuring Woodward in a critically acclaimed role. While filming Winning (1969), Newman discovered a passion for race car driving, which would become a significant part of his life.

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

Newman co-starred with Robert Redford in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), playing Butch alongside Redford’s Sundance. The film was a commercial triumph, earning over $46 million at the box office. Their on-screen chemistry was revisited in The Sting (1973), another box office success.

Continued Success in the 1980s and Beyond

Throughout the 1980s, Newman continued to receive accolades for his performances, notably in Absence of Malice (1981) and The Verdict (1982), both of which earned him Academy Award nominations. In 1985, he was awarded an honorary Oscar in recognition of his contributions to the film industry, humorously acknowledging the honor in his acceptance speech.

The Color of Money (1986)

Returning to the character of Fast Eddie in The Color of Money (1986), Newman transitioned from a young hustler to a seasoned liquor salesman mentoring a young talent, played by Tom Cruise. This performance finally earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor.

As he approached his seventies, Newman continued to captivate audiences with character-driven roles, notably in Nobody’s Fool (1994), where he played an aging father trying to reconnect with his estranged son. His role in Road to Perdition (2002) as a crime boss opposite Tom Hanks garnered him another Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

In his later years, Newman took on fewer roles but remained active, winning an Emmy Award for his portrayal of a layabout father in the miniseries Empire Falls (2005).

Outside Projects

Newman’s passion for racing led him to compete professionally, achieving his first victory in 1972 and later winning a national title in 1976. He made history as the oldest driver to win the Rolex 24 at Daytona in 1995.

In the early 1980s, he co-founded Newman’s Own, a food company initially created to sell homemade salad dressing. The company has since expanded to include a wide range of products, with over $250 million donated to charitable causes worldwide. Newman also established the Scott Newman Center to combat drug abuse and the Hole in the Wall Camps, which provide memorable experiences for children with life-threatening illnesses.

Final Years and Legacy

In 2007, Newman announced his retirement from acting, citing declining health and memory issues. Although he had planned to direct Of Mice and Men, he withdrew due to health concerns, prompting speculation about his well-being. Newman passed away from cancer on September 26, 2008, at his home in Westport, Connecticut.

His death was met with an outpouring of tributes, highlighting his impact on cinema and philanthropy. Fellow actor Robert Redford poignantly remarked on the profound loss of his friend.

Newman’s legacy endures through his acclaimed films, charitable endeavors, and the enduring love story with Woodward, a testament to a life lived fully both on and off the screen.

Personal Life

Newman’s first marriage to actress Jacqueline Witte lasted from 1949 to 1958 and produced three children: Scott, Susan, and Stephanie. He spent the next 50 years married to actress Joanne Woodward, with whom he had three daughters: Nell, Melissa, and Claire.