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thatcrazycajunIt's incredibly ironic that I just finished watching PBS' American Masters present its marvelous five-part documentary miniseries, You Must Remember This: The Warner Brothers Story. One episode in this decade-by-decade chronology of the legendary Hollywood movie studio deals with its stars and films of the 1950s...and duly notes the blazing debut therein of a gifted young unknown named Paul Newman. (In black and white; not until color took over did the public get to see the bluest eyes in cinema onscreen.) The award-winning actor, director, auto-racing driver/owner, philanthropist/entrepreneur and liberal political activist died yesterday at 83 of undisclosed causes at his Westport, CT home, surrounded by his family; CNN reports his obit here.
UPDATE, 12:31p: MSNBC.com reports that Newman had been suffering from an unspecified form of cancer for some while, and had canceled an upcoming stage project due to his illness. Wikipedia reports it was lung cancer caused by Newman's long smoking habit.
You know his films, iconic nearly to a one: Cool Hand Luke. Cat On a Hot Tin Roof. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. The Verdict. The Sting. The Hustler and its decades-later sequel, The Color of Money. (The latter film finally won him his long-deserved Oscar after eight tries.) And so many more. He even played one of my home state's most colorful figures, the late Gov. Earl Long, brother of Huey, in the film Blaze, opposite the curvaceous Lolita Davidovich as Uncle Earl's mistress, Bourbon Street stripper Blaze Starr.
You know his charities, The Newman's Own Foundation and the Hole in the Wall Camps. You know his causes, from his backing of Eugene McCarthy for President (earning Newman a place on Dick Nixon's infamous "enemies list") to his more recent support of Ned Lamont in Connecticut's Democratic Senate race. You might even know he was also part of the "Greatest Generation," having served in the Navy during World War II prior to taking up acting and witnessed the battle of Okinawa firsthand. Hell, you probably have a bottle of his salad dressing, a jar of his spaghetti sauce or a box of his microwave popcorn or cookies somewhere in your kitchen. (And if you don't, you should; not only do all the proceeds go to his charities, but they're actually good eating, every one. But you'd better hurry; I predict a run on Newman's Own brand products at supermarkets around the country in the next few days.)
We've lost more than just a showbiz legend; we've lost a champion. My heart goes out to his wife Joanne Woodward (herself an Oscar winner) and their five children, grandchildren and his other family, friends and colleagues in this most difficult hour. And you should check out the PBS mini, narrated by Paul's long-time Warners co-worker Clint Eastwood; it's available in condensed form online at the website. (Did they ever do a picture together? If not, it's a damn dirty shame.)
So long, Mr. Newman, and the entire movie-going world thanks you.
UPDATE, 12:31p: MSNBC.com reports that Newman had been suffering from an unspecified form of cancer for some while, and had canceled an upcoming stage project due to his illness. Wikipedia reports it was lung cancer caused by Newman's long smoking habit.
You know his films, iconic nearly to a one: Cool Hand Luke. Cat On a Hot Tin Roof. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. The Verdict. The Sting. The Hustler and its decades-later sequel, The Color of Money. (The latter film finally won him his long-deserved Oscar after eight tries.) And so many more. He even played one of my home state's most colorful figures, the late Gov. Earl Long, brother of Huey, in the film Blaze, opposite the curvaceous Lolita Davidovich as Uncle Earl's mistress, Bourbon Street stripper Blaze Starr.
You know his charities, The Newman's Own Foundation and the Hole in the Wall Camps. You know his causes, from his backing of Eugene McCarthy for President (earning Newman a place on Dick Nixon's infamous "enemies list") to his more recent support of Ned Lamont in Connecticut's Democratic Senate race. You might even know he was also part of the "Greatest Generation," having served in the Navy during World War II prior to taking up acting and witnessed the battle of Okinawa firsthand. Hell, you probably have a bottle of his salad dressing, a jar of his spaghetti sauce or a box of his microwave popcorn or cookies somewhere in your kitchen. (And if you don't, you should; not only do all the proceeds go to his charities, but they're actually good eating, every one. But you'd better hurry; I predict a run on Newman's Own brand products at supermarkets around the country in the next few days.)
We've lost more than just a showbiz legend; we've lost a champion. My heart goes out to his wife Joanne Woodward (herself an Oscar winner) and their five children, grandchildren and his other family, friends and colleagues in this most difficult hour. And you should check out the PBS mini, narrated by Paul's long-time Warners co-worker Clint Eastwood; it's available in condensed form online at the website. (Did they ever do a picture together? If not, it's a damn dirty shame.)
So long, Mr. Newman, and the entire movie-going world thanks you.
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Date: 2008-09-27 03:23 pm (UTC)Newman was half of one of the most successful showbiz marriages -- to Joanne Woodward, whom he married in 1958. He observed that just because he was a sex symbol there was no reason to commit adultery.
"Why would I go out for a hamburger when [I] have steak at home?" he asked.
Being married 50 years in Hollywood is like being married a 100 years anywhere else.
no subject
Date: 2008-09-27 03:27 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-09-28 03:51 am (UTC)Yes. I totally, totally respect his depth and sense of love for his wife and for people. I usually don't really care or pay attention to celeb deaths, but I'm very sorry to hear we lost him. I kinda believe that there is a psychic battle going on between the good and bad energy being put out there. The good folks lost an all-star losing Paul. His food is good and he gave all the money away.
I hope he has a wonderful afterlife. He will be missed.
no subject
Date: 2008-09-27 04:29 pm (UTC)He will be missed. *bows head*
no subject
Date: 2008-09-27 06:43 pm (UTC)Winning(1969)
http://turnerclassic.moviesunlimited.com/Product.asp?sku=D13471
and http://turnerclassic.moviesunlimited.com/product.asp?sku=D62036
and years later Mr and Mrs Bridge
http://turnerclassic.moviesunlimited.com/Product.asp?sku=D19641
no subject
Date: 2008-09-27 09:54 pm (UTC)The star's five daughters praised their father's "selfless humility and generosity" in a statement released to the press.
"Paul Newman played many unforgettable roles," they said.
"But the ones for which he was proudest never had top billing on the marquee: Devoted husband, loving father, adoring grandfather, dedicated philanthropist."