A Brief Commemorative Writing for the Late Great Paul NewmanIn our society there are many different things that influence our culture. One of the biggest influences on our culture is that of the media. And for more than five decades Paul Newman was one of the greatest actors that our media has ever seen. From starting his career in small supporting roles, to starring in and directing his own box office hits, Paul Newman was one of the biggest things to ever happen to America’s film industry.Although Newman had an expansive career on Broadway and other off camera performances, his biggest accomplishments and most amazing performances were seen on the big screen. Newman’s first hit movie was called “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” in which he portrayed a very complex character and impressed audiences and film critics with his great acting ability. Not only did he give a good performance but also received his first academy award nomination for this film. He would go on to start in many great movies and be nominated for a number of other awards. Some of his greatest movies include “Cool Hand Luke” in which Newman played an antihero who was a prisoner in a work camp trying to escape, and in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” he acted alongside Robert Redford in the Western about two outlaws belonging to the ‘Hole in the Wall gang’.One of Newman’s best played roles and arguably his most influential film was called “Hud” in which he played a young man who was by himself against the world and his own parents. Many say that this was his best performance and one of the very best of that decade. Newman’s acting career was scattered with reviews like that and it would not end until he quit acting. And he never quit acting.
RIP Paul Newman
A Great Actor and Philanthropist Passes OnPaul Newman, the great actor and philanthropist, died at the age of 83 after a battle with cancer. Anyone who loves films has to regard Paul Newman’s passing with more than a twinge of sadness. He was truly one of those greats whom we shall never see the like of again.In his youth, Paul Newman had the face and body of a Greek statue, but a subtle acting style the belied any pretty boy looks he had. The names of films that he made his own are the stuff of legend.
RIP Paul Newman In The Hustler, Paul Newman played an up and coming pool shark eager to make his name by playing a high stakes game against the reigning champion, played by Jackie Gleason. The great aspect of The Hustler is that it is as much about character as it is about a game. Paul Newman’s Fast Eddie is a self destructive man who may lose everything on the brink of gaining it. Paul Newman reprised the character of Fast Eddie decades later in The Color of Money, this time opposite Tom Cruise, in a story about comebacks and handing over the torch to a younger protégé. The Color of Money garnered Paul Newman his one acting Oscar. In Cool Hand Luke, Paul Newman played a rebellious inmate in a prison chain gang. A man whose body may well be imprisoned, but whose soul is in every way still free. Paul Newman’s impish depiction of Luke was enhanced by a solid supporting cast, including George Kennedy as a fellow inmate and Strother Martin as the prison captain.Almost everyone’s favorite Paul Newman movie is Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, which also starred a then young screen idol named Robert Redford. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid was an early “anti western”, which turned the western mythos on its head by depicting a pair of bandits, ordinarily the heavies, as the good guys. Newman played Butch Cassidy with a kind of ironic brilliance, whether it was being chased by a posse “who are those guys?”, fighting one of his own gang for supremacy, or, hurt, scared, and alone, getting ready with Redford’s Sundance Kid to make a last stand against the Bolivian Army.
Top 10 Paul Newman Movies
Paul Newman: 1925-2008In a career that spanned over half a century, the late Paul Newman played characters who ranged from heartless, selfish jerks such as Hud, to charming rogues like Luke Jackson, Henry Gondorff, and Reg Dunlop. Many of Paul Newman’s characters in
both categories had a problem with women, alcohol, or both. With his slim build and gravelly voice, Newman was the kind of man many women want to be with and many men want to be like.Paul Newman was equally adept at playing heavy drama or slapstick comedy, whether his costars were Robert Redford or little knowns, as in the 70′s hockey farce Slap Shot. It was hard to believe that Paul Newman was four years older than my Dad. Newman has been missed in the film industry the past few years and will be missed in our World. Here are my favorite Paul Newman movies in chronological order, oldest first, with the note that I haven’t seen many of his films prior to the late 60′s.10. The HustlerThe first of two times Newman portrayed “Fast” Eddie Felson, pool shark. Newman’s Fast Eddie pursues a match with Minnesota Fats, played by Jackie Gleason like Captain Ahab chasing the Great White Whale. Eddie has Minnesota Fats down, but loses it all, gets his thumbs broken later, has his girlfriend commit suicide after she is violated by Eddie’s gambling sponsor played by George C. Scott. In the end, Newman’s Eddie finally beats Fats, but only after great personal expense.9. Cool Hand LukeSet in a Florida prison where cruel and unusual punishment is the norm, Paul Newman plays Luke Jackson, known as “Cool Hand Luke”. Luke is looked up to as a hero by the other inmates, especially escapes and sends his buddies a picture of himself with two attractive women. As usual, when Luke escapes from the prison he is eventually captured and returned to harsh discipline administered by the Captain (Strother Martin). When Luke finally breaks and begs for mercy, the other inmates lose respect for him and tear up the picture, which was fake. In the end, Luke finally defies the Captain one too many times. It is from this film that the phrase “what we have here is a failure to communicate” is derived.
Paul Newman: May You Rest in Peace
Paul Leonard Newman was born on January 26, 1925 in Cleveland, Ohio and he passed away yesterday, September 26, 2008 at his home surrounded by his family in Westport, Connecticut. The world had come to know, love and
respect Paul Newman through his distinguished acting ability, iconic star quality and admirable philanthropic endeavors. The exemplary relationship Newman shared with his widow, Academy Award winning actress Joanne Woodward, will stand forever in time as a testament to all those who would denounce the stability of the Hollywood marriage. Granted Paul Newman was not the average Hollywood actor, neither is Joanne Woodward…but their enduring relationship provides a reflection of the stability that two people can enjoy if they are committed to doing the work it takes to make a powerful two career relationship last. As I woke up this morning and read the headlines that Paul Newman had died I actually felt a sense of sadness. I don’t normally feel personally saddened by the passing of celebrities because I don’t actually know these people. However, Paul Newman was a special case because I am indeed one of his biggest fans; I hold a true respect for his altruistic nature and a deep admiration for his commitment to his marriage…and his acting ability, what can I say that has not already been said about his incomparable acting ability? Nothing one more thing. We all know that Paul Newman was an amazing actor. Here is a small list of some of the work where Paul Newman’s incredible acting ability is succinctly displayed:Cool Hand Luke (1967) Watch Paul Newman’s fourth Academy Award nominated performance here on Netflix now: Cool Hand Luke *Check out this Famous Quote from the film: “What we’ve got here is failure to communicate.”The Long Hot Summer (1958)Watch Paul Newman in one of his first starring roles here on Netflix now: The Long, Hot Summer
Legendary Actor Paul Newman Dies
Charities Were His PassionAccording to Reuters, one of the greatest actors who has ever graced the silver screen, Paul Newman, died Friday night, September 26 at his home in Westport, Connecticut. The legendary performer acted in over 50 movies, many of them to later become classics, and was nominated
Legendary Actor Paul Newman Dies Date: September 26, 2008Westport, CTUnited States of America for numerous acting awards throughout his six-decade career. Paul Newman was 83.Paul Newman, a native of Cleveland, Ohio took his Midwestern work ethic to Hollywood and treated acting as a job, saying once that acting had “nothing to do with being an adult.” And although his profession garnered him fortune and fame, Newman’s passions were car racing and promoting social causes. His Newman’s Own Foundation owned a line of food products that has generated over $250 million for charity (Newman, who created and oversaw the company, refused any kind of salary.) over the years.Newman was nominated for nine Oscars and won Best Actor for 1986′s “The Color of Money.” He won an Emmy for his supporting role for the multiple award-winning mini-series “Empire Falls.” His film credits read like a “best of ” list: “Hud,” “Cat On A Hot Tin Roof,” “The Hustler,” “Somebody Up There Must Like Me,” “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” “The Sting,” “Nobody’s Fool,” “The Verdict,” and “The Road To Perdition.”But this writer’s favorite will always be “Cool Hand Luke.” Paul Newman’s easy, laid back performance of a fun-loving southern boy placed in a soul-crushing prison is the epitome of great acting. Newman’s title character is a tragic hero, actually a pride-filled young man set against an unforgiving corrupt penal system, exemplified by the brilliant performance given by Strother Martin, who won an Oscar for his work. Newman himself would be nominated for a Best Actor award, his first of five.
Paul Newman: Dead at 83 of Cancer
A Look at Paul Newman’s Life, Other Celebrity Cancer Deaths, and Celebrity Deaths of 2008Paul Newman died Friday, September 26, at his home in Westport, Connecticut, at the age of 83 of cancer. It was just last month that it was announced Paul Newman had cancer and wished to spend his last days at his home surrounded by his family, which includes wife Joanne Woodward, five daughters and two
grandchildren.Paul Newman’s first movie was “The Silver Chalice” in 1954, but his first hit as an actor came in 1956 when he starred as boxer Rocky Graziano in “Somebody Up There Likes Me”. Newman went on to star in more than twenty movies, including “Cool Hand Luke” in 1967, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” in 1969, and “Mr. And Mrs. Bridge” in 1990, in which he co-starred with his wife, Joanne Woodward.Newman’s last screen appearance was in the 2002 film “Road to Perdition” opposite Tom Hanks.Newman announced his retirement from acting in 2007, citing memory problems and a loss of confidence. He was quoted as saying, “You can’t be as old as I am without waking up with a surprised look on your face every morning: ‘Holy Christ, whaddya know – I’m still around!’ It’s absolutely amazing that I survived all the booze and smoking and the cars and the career.”Other Celebrity Cancer DeathsCancer doesn’t discriminate, and other celebrities have succumbed to cancer. John Wayne, who reigned the silver screen from 1940s – 1970s, died in 1979 from stomach cancer. Comedian Nipsy Russell died in 2005 from stomach cancer also.Dana Reeves, wife of Christopher Reeves, and Peter Jennings, ABC Anchorman, both died in 2005 from lung cancer. Gilligan’s Island’s Bob Denver succumbed to throat cancer that same year.Canadian jazz and blue-rock guitarist Jeff Healey died March 2, 2008, at age 41 after a life-long battle with retinoblastoma, a rare cancer of the eyes. He was best known for his hit “Angel Eyes”.Most recently, Richard Wright, founding member of the band Pink Floyd, died September 15, 2008, after battling cancer.Celebrity Deaths in 2008
Actor Paul Newman Dead at Age 83: A Biography of This Legendary Man
Actor Paul Newman died Friday (09/26/08) at age 83. He succumbed to cancer. Newman had been battling this disease for months. Below is a biography of this legendary man’s life. It shows that he definitely had a lot of heart and desire to live a full life. Early YearsBorn in a suburb of Cleveland (Shaker Heights, Ohio), Paul Newman was the product of two cultures. His mother Theresa was Slovak and a Catholic (later converted to Christian Science) while his father Arthur was Jewish. His parents gave him and his brother (Arthur) a comfortable living because they owned a sporting good store.At a young age, Paul Newman, showed an interest in theater. By age seven, he did his first play at school. He was a court jester in Robin Hood. However, it would not be apparent to the world that Newman was a star until he got into his late 20′s. By then, he’d graduated from Shaker Heights High School, fought in World War II and graduated from Kenyon College. It was at this point that he started to seriously pursue an acting career. Movie CareerIn preparation for a career in acting, Paul Newman studied acting at Yale University under Lee Strasberg. Then, he left New York and moved to Hollywood. His moved paid off. Newman immediately got roles in Broadway plays (Picnic, The Desperate Hours, Sweet Bird of Youth) and debuted in his first movie The Silver Chalice by 1954. This moment would mark the beginning of a lucrative film career. Below is a list a few memorable ones:Somebody Up There Likes Me (1956)Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)The Long Hot Summer (1958)The Young Philadelphians (1959)Exodus (1960)Paris Blues (1961)The Hustler (1961)Hud (1963)Harper (1966)Hombre (1967)Cool Hand Luke (1967)Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)The Towering Inferno (1974)After making several movies, Paul Newman returned to the theatre and began doing Pulitzer Prize-winning plays like The Shadow Box and The Glass Menagerie. He also acted in an HBO series Empire Falls. In March of 2007 at age 82, Paul Newman officially retired from acting because he could no longer keep up.Personal Life
Paul Newman Said to Have Cancer, Wanting to Die at Home with Family
Cool Hand Luke Star Said to Have Just Weeks Left to LiveFox News reported earlier this week that Oscar winning actor Paul Newman has cancer. The Fox report went on to say that Paul Newman has just a few weeks left to live and has started to get his affairs in order, including readying his oldest, Nell, to take the reins of Newman’s Own.
Paul Newman Said to Have Cancer, Wanting to Die at Home with Family Paul Newman is 83 years old. While Paul Newman’s Oscar win was for 1986′s The Color of Money, I know him best as Luke in 1967′s Cool Hand Luke. Cool Hand Luke is probably my most favorite movie of all time and my husband can testify that I could watch it over and over again like a child. I was so glad to find a friend in college who felt the same way about Cool Hand Luke. We would watch the movie then spout out our favorite movie quotes, such as when the mean warden proclaimed: “What we’ve got here is failure to communicate”, “No one can eat 50 eggs”, and of course, one of my favorites, spoken by Paul Newman, “Shaking the tree boss!” when he is making his escape by cleverly shaking the tree with a long string while the “Boss” thinks that he is going to the bathroom in the brush. I think this movie clicked with me because Luke was not a conformer. He had a free spirit and could not be held down by the rules put upon him. Cool Hand Luke is typical of the non-conformist nature of the late 1960s. The “No one can eat 50 eggs” comment just spurred Luke to do it because they said it couldn’t be done, and sure enough, though half comatose when done, Luke downed 50 eggs. I can still picture the way Paul Newman looked on screen when he finished that last egg. Luke’s antics boosted the morale for his prison mates and gave them something to take their mind off their misery.Cool Hand Luke highlights just how unfair life can be. Imagine being sentenced to a chain gang work prison just for taking the heads off parking meters when you were drunk? Anyone these days would be sentenced to ARD or community service. Luke’s mother is close to death in the movie, and rather than the warden having compassion, he sticks Luke in the box in case he might want to run and be with her when she died.
Gift Ideas for Paul Newman Fans
Brilliant actor. Race car Driver. Philanthropist. These are just a few of the terms used to describe Paul Newman. From his early days as a rebel with a heart of gold on the silver screen to his later years as the ultra successful creator of the “Newman’s Own” food product line, Paul
Newman has lived a varied and private life. Happily married to actress Joanne Woodward for decades, even in his heyday as one of the most sought after actors, Paul Newman managed to keep his private life out of the public eye. Read this article for gift ideas for fans of Paul Newman.Gift Ideas For Paul Newman Fans: “Cool Hand Luke” DVD. This 1967 has long been considered one of Paul Newman’s most notable and outstanding acting performances. As a chain gang prisoner who refuses to quietly conform to his new circumstances, this movie showcases Paul Newman at his very best. Containing the very famous and often referred to “hard boiled egg” eating contest and also starring George Kennedy, this DVD is a must have for Paul Newman fans. Gift Ideas For Paul Newman Fans: “The Films Of Paul Newman – The Verdict/The Hustler/Butch Cassidy” This three DVD box set will surely delight your gift recipient. With co stars such as Jackie Gleason, Jack Warden, and James Mason, this fantastic box set provides your Paul Newman fan with three hundred and seventy four minutes of viewing pleasure.Gift Ideas For Paul Newman Fans: “Paul Newman: A Life In Pictures” By Pierre Henri Verlhac and Yann Brice Dnerbler. What a treat for Paul Newman fans! This beautiful two hundred and eight book contains rare photographs of the actor from his earliest days in Hollywood to his later years after he stepped back from the spotlight and concentrated on his charity work. This fantastic coffee table book also contains a very detailed biography of the very versatile man.