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UPDATE: Paul Newman Dies at 83
Saturday September 27, 2008
 Time Life Pictures/DMI/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images Paul Newman has died at age 83. He passed away after a long battle with cancer Friday at his farmhouse near Westport, Connecticut. Newman’s daughters released the following joint statement regarding the family’s loss: “Paul Newman played many unforgettable roles. But the ones for which he was proudest never had top billing on the marquee. Devoted husband. Loving father. Adoring grandfather. Dedicated philanthropist. Our father was a rare symbol of selfless humility, the last to acknowledge what he was doing was special. Intensely private, he quietly succeeded beyond measure in impacting the lives of so many with his generosity. Always and to the end, Dad was incredibly grateful for his good fortune. In his own words: 'It’s been a privilege to be here.' He will be profoundly missed by those whose lives he touched, but he leaves us with extraordinary inspiration to draw upon. During this difficult time, we ask for privacy for our family.” In a separate statement, Robert Forrester, vice-chairman of Newman's Own Foundation, said: “Paul Newman’s craft was acting. His passion was racing. His love was his family and friends. And his heart and soul were dedicated to helping make the world a better place for all. "Paul had an abiding belief in the role that luck plays in one’s life, and its randomness. He was quick to acknowledge the good fortune he had in his own life, beginning with being born in America, and was acutely aware of how unlucky so many others were. True to his character, he quietly devoted himself to helping offset this imbalance." See Us' photo tribute to stars who have recently passed. Born in Ohio in 1925, the actor rose to fame in such roles as The Hustler, Cool Hand Luke and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, in which he starred opposite Robert Redford. He was nominated for 10 Oscars, winning for 1987's The Color of Money and taking home two honorary ones. Newman was also known for his philanthropy. He created the Newman's Own brand of organic foods and donated the company's profits to charity. "What started as something of a joke in the basement of his home, turned into a highly-respected, multi-million dollar a year food company," Forrester said in a statement. "And true to form, he shared this good fortune by donating all the profits and royalties he earned to thousands of charities around the world, a total which now exceeds $250 million." He also founded the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp for children with serious illnesses. Said Forrester: "Today, there are 11 Camps around the world, with additional programs in Africa and Vietnam. Through the Camps, well over 135,000 children have had the chance to experience what childhood was meant to be." Added Forrester: "Paul took advantage of what life offered him, and while personally reluctant to acknowledge that he was doing anything special, he forever changed the lives of many with his generosity, humor, and humanness. His legacy lives on in the charities he supported and the Hole in the Wall Camps, for which he cared so much. "We will miss our friend Paul Newman, but are lucky ourselves to have known such a remarkable person." Newman is survived by his wife, actress Joanne Woodward, 78. The couple celebrated their golden anniversary in January. He is the father of five daughters and several grandchildren. (His son, Scott Newman, died of an accidental drug overdose in 1978. In his honor, the actor later instituted the Scott Newman Center for drug abuse prevention.) "Our father was a rare symbol of selfless humility, the last to acknowledge what he was doing was special. Intensely private, he quietly succeeded beyond measure in impacting the lives of so many with his generosity," his daughters said in a statement. "He will be profoundly missed by those whose lives he touched, but he leaves us with extraordinary inspiration to draw upon." Newman never confirmed reports that he was battling cancer. In June, as rumors swirled about his illness, his pal (and neighbor) Martha Stewart wrote, "He is still full of vim and vigor, he is still Cool Hand Luke to me, and of course, my Butch Cassidy!" Newman announced he was retiring last year. "I'm not able to work anymore as an actor at the level I would want to," he said on Good Morning America. "You start to lose your memory, your confidence, your invention. So that's pretty much a closed book for me… I've been doing it for 50 years. That's enough." Newman had said he'd like to be remembered as "a guy who tried, tried to be part of his times, tried to help people communicate with one another, tried to find some decency in his own life, tried to extend himself as a human being. Someone who isn't complacent, who doesn't cop out." Join Us on Facebook and Twitter for even more up to the minute celebrity news and photos!
 Posted by Rachel Paula Ab... at 2:24 pm ET
Categories: 173 Comments
2:21 PM
Anonymous Says:
So very sad to learn of Mr. Newman's passing. My most sincere condolences to Mrs. Newman and to the family. Mr. Newman, you will be missed for your great contributions to humanity and as such an amazing actor. Mr. Newman's legacy will always be remembered and continued...may you rest in peace
1:56 PM
Anonymous Says:
Why do people always have to bring up the negative after someone has passed? If you don't have anything decent to write or say then keep it quiet! I thought Paul Newman was a great actor. He was a gorgeous individual that had it goin on! And I'm a sista writing this! For those who don't like it TO BAD! To Joanne Woodward....my condolences to you and your family. I believe that you are a very strong individual and Paul will be your angel watching over you therefore you will be just fine. RIP Mr. Newman.
1:26 PM
alice Says:
Mr. Newman gave me and everyone else who saw his movies many hours of enjoyment. He gave the world a legacy of humor, sincerity and compasion. H will be, and already is deeply missed. He also made a GREAT contribution to humanity with his compasion. May the rest of us learn to be as generous and compassionate. If we did, the world would truely be a much better place for everyone.
12:45 PM
karen Says:
I was truley crushed to hear of Mr. Newmans passing,,my mother raised me and my 6 sisters with his movies,she thought he was sooo talented,sexy,an all around great guy.I myself love all of his films,but i have to say my favorite one was Fort Apache the bronx,he was funny,serious,little kooky,played the role of a police officer very well.My prayers go out to his family&friends in their time of sorrow,&recovering.I hope the press will abide by the families wishes and let their hearts heal in peace.God bless to Mr.newman and his family...you will be sadly missed Mr.blue eyes(you will forever be in my heart and prayers)
12:34 PM
cuzIcan579 Says:
A life well lived; a legacy well left. Selfless, caring, inspiring, unforgettable. Words to remember Paul Newman by. In living the way he did, he will live on in many ways: memories, good will and good works. Rest now, dear Paul. Well done.
12:30 PM
misty the barber Says:
well guess what people......we dont live forever!!! yeah he did some great movies and played some very good roles. but he is dead, that means get over it. its hard to say what peole really want to hear, but i;m just an outspoken person and very frank! so remember him in you r own ways but dont let it take you over the edge! r.i.p
12:27 PM
Heidi Says:
A blessed man, who blessed others. A beautiful man with a beautiful legacy.
12:20 PM
Anonymous Says:
An Icon and a class act. Thanks for the great body of work.
12:16 PM
Kat Says:
This was a brilliant man. The world is worse off for this trgic loss! RIP Paul Newman! My deepest sympathies to his family and friends, and to all of us who will miss him. I'm a fan to the end!
12:08 PM
Anonymous Says:
The world has loss a wonderful person and God has gain an angel. God bless you Mr. Newman and your family.
11:59 AM
Lisa Says:
When I was a little girl my dad took my brother and I to see Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid! It was then that I fell in love with Paul Newman! Not the kind of love like a crush more of a daddy love! His beautiful blue eyes remind me of my fathers and when I saw them I knew that he was indeed a great man, just like my dad! He was an extroidinary actor and humanitarian! I met Paul Newman as a teen-ager at Road Atlanta! He was in town for a race and stayed with friends of my mothers! He was very kind and giggled at me because I was so in awe of him! I just kept thinking "Oh my god, Im talking to Butch Cassidy!" It was a thrill!
11:50 AM
Portillo Says:
he was a very caring and giving person RIP-
10:44 AM
Moderate Republican Says:
10:18 - Couldn't agree with you more. The book is pretty much closed on that generation, the likes of which we don't see today. The current Hollywood bunch can't hold a candle to Newman, Grant, Stanwyck, etc. - what a classy bunch. Rest in peace, Mr. Newman. You will greatly be missed.
10:18 AM
Anonymous Says:
the true definition of 'hollywood royalty'. they don't make them like this anymore, never will again.
9:35 AM
Anonymous Says:
Mr Newman NEVER signed autographs to him it was ridiculous that anyone's signature on a piece of paper be more meaningful or special than that of anyone else just another example of him not having the over-inflated ego that is typical of today's Hollywood-not to mention the reality types like Paris, Spencer & Heidi etc. who eagerly sign their names as it it had some useful purpose and meaning in the whole scheme of things his entire existence spoke to the person that he was
9:34 AM
Anonymous Says:
WHAT DOES THIS BEAUTIFUL {BOTH INSIDE AND OUT} MANS DEATH HAVE TO DO WITH BRAD AND ANGELINA? LEAVE THEM ALONE!!! AND AS FOR MR. NEWMAN MAY GOD REST HIS SOUL, WHAT AN AMAZING HUMAN BEING.
8:57 AM
Anonymous Says:
What a beautiful man, inside and out. They don't make men like that anymore. R*I*P.
8:39 AM
elsie Says:
I truly though he was a very private person and i respect that. I loved evry one of his movies. I pray for his family, and that his wife will always know how much they have both made the cinama my place of home. He will be missed but never forgotten. thank you the Fucci family
6:23 AM
VerySad Says:
God Rest his soul. My prayers are with the family.
5:00 AM
Anonymous Says:
He was definitely a class act, so many others could learn from this man.
3:42 AM
Anonymous Says:
Brad Pitt is despicable and only doing charity because of Angelina Jolie. He doesn't even give credit where credit is due. As an actor The only movies he's in that are decent are the movies where he doesn't Play the lead. Paul Newman's death means the end of the real leading men in Cinema.
3:08 AM
Anonymous Says:
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA anon...one in every thread..and you proved it sad to see paul go, he is a legend
2:33 AM
Anonymous Says:
I heard he had a GAY AFFAIR with Tom Cruise while filming "The Color of Money" in the mid 80's...
9:37 PM
Anonymous123 Says:
RIP Mr. Newman...
6:31 PM
Anonymous Says:
This is a such a loss. Paul Newman was the opposite of all that HOLLYWOOD embodies. A lasting marriage and someone who cares about others and not only himself. His life was fascinating and also somewhat ordinary. He was generous with his talent, his time and also with his charities. A true role model for other people in the entertainment business and for his fellow man. He will be sadly missed. God bless him & his wife & family.... remember the good times and all the good that there is in the world because of him.
6:30 PM
Anonymous Says:
He was definitely a class act, so many others could learn from this man.
6:24 PM
Anonymous Says:
An Angel on earth has left us. I hope the media grants the family wishes and gives them privacy. God Bless the Newman Family, I'm sssooooooo sad to hear he's gone and will miss Actor/Mr. Paul Newman as both an actor and as a great humanitarian. We so need more inspirational people like him and Joann in this world. "Life is but a stopping place, a pause in what's to be, a resting place along the road to sweet eternity. We all have different journey's different paths alond the way, we all were meant to learn somethings but never meant to stay." This is very sad news for me......God Bless Paul Newmans Family.
5:48 PM
Suze Says:
I met him up at Martha's Vinyard when I was very young (maybe 6 or 7 years old). I was gutsy (nieve) enough to ask him for his autograph. He was a crabby guy and blew me off. His wife swooped in and was very gracious and sweet. I still remember this to this day (I'm 40 years old). I found out much later that he had a drinking problem at one point. I'm guessing he may have been in at "slump" at that point. I still always admired this guy. What a great actor and a beautiful person. RIP Paul.
5:17 PM
Anonymous Says:
Thanks for the younger more attractive pic, US. It's better than the old, sick version you had on here originally.
4:07 PM
Anonymous Says:
I agree. For over twelve years I worked on feature films sets in one on one capacity with A list actors and directors (as a massage therapist). I discovered during those years that fame and money just make you more of who you are, ultimately. Some of the celebrities that I worked with were absolute jerks - and they were even bigger jerks with money and attention they had. Many of the people I met were truly amazing people, but in my opinion, none were greater than Paul Newman. I was priviledged to spend about a month working with Mr. Newman when he was in Chicago shooting THE HUDSUCKER PROXY. He was in his late 60's at the time. There was an amazing aura around him. He was a being who truly cared about others. We can all learn from his example. When I was a kid and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid came out, my friends all swooned over Redford, but although I think Robert Redford is beautiful and talented, I was completely and utterly entranced by Paul Newman. Thoroughly awestruck. In my twelve plus years of work with A-listers, I was rarely - if ever - what one might call starstruck, however meeting Paul Newman proved the exception --- but he made it impossible for me to remain in that mode as true humanity is the great leveler. Robert Redford, Newman's good lifelong pal, is another example of the positive effects one can use their fame and fortune for, but even those of us with less revenue can affect others in our lives for the better. My hope would be that the example of these two remarkable men would inspire others. Post new comment |
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