Sep 28 2008
A Look At - Paul Newman
This weekend we have lost one of Hollywood’s true legends, actor Paul Newman. He passed away at home Friday night after being diagnosed with lung cancer in June. It was one of his last wishes to die at home. At the age of 83, the actor had lived a full life, and even in recent years he has still worked on the screen he loved and that loved him. Over the years, he has done so many films it is hard to pick one role for him that stands out as vintage Paul Newman.
In a statement released by his family following his death, they said, “His death was as private and discreet as the way he had lived his life, a humble artist who never thought of himself as ‘big’, surrounded by his beloved family and the close circle of friends.” He might not have thought of himself as big, but they really didn’t come much bigger. Over the years, he has worked both in front of and behind the camera, driven race cars professionally and even had his own company that made spaghetti sauces and salad dressings.
His last appearance on film was in the HBO miniseries, Empire Falls. After that, he only contributed voice work, including offering his voice to Doc Hudson in Pixar’s Cars. Over the years though, Paul Newman had a role in over fifty films. Some of his most memorable include those he starred in with friend and fellow actor Robert Redford as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. One of my favorite films Paul Newman has ever done is The Color of Money. I was young when it came out, and I saw it for Tom Cruise, but it was Newman that stood out. He won an Academy Award for that performance.
Paul Newman was a true gentleman, and an actor not like many we have alive today. He will be missed by many. Share your thoughts of the man and his work in comments. Below is a clip of some of his best scenes from youtube. May he rest in peace.
