I just heard the news this morning. He was 83.
Thinking about it, he did play some great parts in the movies. Cool Hand Luke ("What we have here is a failure to communicate"). As "Fast Eddie" Felson in The Hustler (with Jackie Gleason as "Minnesota Fats") and reprised in The Color of Money. With Robert Redford in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid ("Who are those guys?"). Those are some that stand out to me.
He was a good box office draw. The women loved his blue eyes and his good looks. The men saw him as a man's man. So his flicks were the perfect date night.
Later in life he became involved in Indy race car driving and team ownership, and then showed his diversity by coming out with his own line of popcorn and salad dressings.
What stands out to me probably more than anything else was the fact that a Hollywood star who probably could have had any number of women remained faithful and married to his wife (actress Joanne Woodward) for 50 years. When asked about infidelity, he quipped, "Why go out for hamburger when you have steak at home?"
I'm sure one of the movie channels on cable will do a Paul Newman marathon in short order. I'll try to catch it. Hollywood doesn't make 'em like him anymore. Too bad.
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2 comments:
What a great quote about remaining faithful. His wife was obviously a very blessed woman :-)
You forgot to mention that in addition to his stellar acting career, and his devotion to his family, that 100% of profits from the sale of his "salad dressings,etc" helped to raise millions of dollars for several charities. He also founded and supported the Hole in the Wall Gang camps for children with life threatening diseases. He was a true humanitarian and this world has lost a true hero. May he rest in peace.
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