Paul Newman: 1925 - 2008
It‘s the rare circumstance where we mourn the loss of the man more than the star.
No film better illustrates this than The Long Hot Summer, which introduces Newman’s character Ben Quick surrounded by angry townspeople accusing him of being a barn burner. We don’t need the last reel to tell us Quick is innocent. It’s there in Newman’s performance: the insolent grin, the blue-eyed twinkle, but behind it, the pain of being falsely accused. Throughout the rest of the picture this gives Quick’s swagger meaning and depth. It also allows us to sit back and vicariously enjoy Quick’s id for the next 100 minutes until his love for Clara (Joanne Woodward) creates a safe enough environment for the young man’s innate decency to reemerge.
Throughout most of the 1960s, Newman would become a bankable star playing variations on this role, most notably in The Hustler (1961) and Sweet Bird of Youth (1962).
Like most leading men, Newman wasn’t a versatile actor. His genius wasn’t his range, it was the limitless depths he could achieve within his range — the emotional places he could plumb. In 1963 Newman would take his well-honed persona to an entirely new level with Hud, where this time, the twinkle in the eye really is all hustle. Newman is so good it doesn’t matter how many times you see the film, you keep hoping it will end differently. Just like the young Brandon de Wilde character, until that very last moment you’re sure Hud Bannon will accept his redemption in the promise of Patricia Neal and fulfill your hero worship. But he never does. He always chooses that lonely, barren, dusty dirt farm.
In 1967 Newman was 42 and a three-time Oscar nominee. He was certainly a solid, well respected leading man, but his status as an icon was about to be forever cemented by taking his persona over one final hill — to a cynical yet inspiring place that matched the times. By hook or crook whether it was picking a fight with a giant George Kennedy or eating 50 hard-boiled eggs in an hour, Cool Hand Luke is ultimately about a lost soul; an individualist who can’t find his Clara or place, yet determined (and finally successful) in killing himself.
Whether by accident or design, a subtle but important change in Newman’s acting style developed between Cool Hand Luke and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969); he relaxed. The method approach gave way to a charming middle-aged ease allowing Newman to be one of the only actors from the 1950s able to transfer his popularity into the 70s and 80s.
For the next twenty-five years, Newman cemented his staying power by wisely playing his age. Even when seducing the much younger Sally Field in Absence of Malice (1981) or Rachel Ticotin in Fort Apache, The Bronx (1981), Newman played the older man always using it to his advantage. He’s especially marvelous as the profane, over-the hill hockey player in Slap Shot.
Newman would finally win a well-deserved Oscar at the age of sixty for The Color Of Money (1986), a sequel to The Hustler that finds Fast Eddie Felson still hustling and Newman with enough star power to steal the movie from Tom Cruise. Though he didn’t win, Newman would give Oscar-worthy performances in both Nobody’s Fool (1994), one of the best films of the nineties, and The Verdict (1982), which, in my opinion, ranks as one of the finest performances ever captured on film.
But for all his legendary screen performances and awards, nothing was more impressive than Paul Newman the man. Before it became chic, when it could hurt a star’s career, Newman was out there in the early 1960s with Charlton Heston, Marlon Brando, and Rev. Martin Luther King marching for civil rights. A lifelong liberal, Newman, unlike too many of today’s stars, didn‘t trash the other side. Instead, he was a proponent, an advocate, and — more importantly — one who put his money where his mouth was.
Using his passion for cooking, in 1982 Newman created “Newman’s Own,” a wildly successful venture that, from sales of salad dressings, pasta sauce, and other food items, has reportedly netted upwards of $200 million for charity. As if that didn’t keep him busy enough, in 1988 Newman opened The Hole In The Wall Camp (named after Butch Cassidy’s “gang”) for seriously ill children.
The most legendary thing about Newman, however, was his marriage of fifty years to Joanne Woodward, an Academy Award winning actress in her own right. Once asked how he managed to stay faithful, Newman replied, “Why go out for hamburger, when you got steak at home.” It says a lot about man who talks about his wife in such ways. It also says a lot that of the five times Newman stepped behind the camera as a feature director, three of them involved plum roles for his wife.
Newman’s legacy will always be there for new generations to discover in revival houses and on DVD. His charitable legacy will also live on. Unfortunately, what is lost forever is the kind of movie star Paul Newman was — the kind who understood that being larger than life meant never crossing the line into the dark heart of celebrity; that it was possible to be politically active without insulting your fans; that living in rural Connecticut as opposed to Beverly Hills was how to keep your perspective.
A loving father, faithful husband, World War II veteran and philanthropist who gave away a vast fortune, being one of the all-time great screen legends was only part of who Paul Newman was. It‘s the rare circumstance where after their passing we mourn the loss of the man more than the star.
Paul Newman was 83.
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John Nolte is a screenwriter and director living in Los Angeles. He blogs at Dirty Harry's Place
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39 Comments
1. Dirty Harry’s Place… » Paul Newman Has Died:[...] My Newman obituary is here. I can’t think of a better way to honor the man than to pick up one of his [...]
Sep 27, 2008 - 8:20 am 2. CALIndie:In this “post-decency” age it would serve us well to reflect on the decency and strong character of this great American. Paul Newman’s death brings melancholy to my heart in remembering my father’s death a few years ago. They were from the same era and there is a long list of great American men like them. Men that defined manhood, charisma, intellect and humanity.
Sadly today, we rarely get to use these terms. They have been replaced with metrosexual, personality and multi-cultural. The lines that define a man today have been blurred beyond repair. Paul Newman was clearly a man to admire. God rest his soul.
Sep 27, 2008 - 8:21 am 3. Jane Arnold:An extraordinary man remembered by a beautifully written obituary. I believe Paul Newman would have loved this tribute–like him it is deep and thoughtful, relaxed and accurate. Paul Newman was one of a kind and I have never regretted skipping school to see the first runs of his movies in downtown Milwaukee. Thank you, Paul Newman, and thank you, John Nolte, for telling Paul’s story fully, concentrating on the man.
Sep 27, 2008 - 8:29 am 4. January 26, 1925 - September 26, 2008 — Shining City:[...] have things covered here. He’s written an obituary for the wonderful actor and human being here; while I won’t have time to read it, I trust him enough that it’s one thing I’ll [...]
Sep 27, 2008 - 8:37 am 5. A good man is gone | And Still I Persist:[...] 1001 MDT] Here’s a better and more thoughtful obituary than the wire service one linked above: A loving father, faithful husband, World War II veteran and [...]
Sep 27, 2008 - 9:02 am 6. Dirty Harry’s Place…:[...] My obituary is here. [...]
Sep 27, 2008 - 9:35 am 7. michele:Wonderful obituary for an extraordinary man. There was something about Newman that made him more than just an actor or a celebrity; a humanity you don’t often see in stars.
He made a lot of great movies, especially Cool Hand Luke, but my favorite character of his will always be Coach Reggie Dunlop.
Sep 27, 2008 - 10:16 am 8. steeple:“what we have here is a failure to communicate”
one of the greatest movie lines ever.
he was as good as any
Sep 27, 2008 - 10:24 am 9. Chuck Pelto:TO: All
RE: I Cannot Say Anything….
….more than what has been said heretofore, save…
…I miss him already.
Regards,
Chuck
Sep 27, 2008 - 10:41 am 10. NahnCee:P.S. If only he’d been told about graviola…..heavy sigh…..
His obits are all commenting on his being an anti-war liberal, and one of Nixon’s enemies list. I remember him being like that many many years ago, but his activism the last few decades has been along the lines of feeding the poor people and demonstrably helping the handicapped.
I don’t remember him only speaking out like Sarandon, Penn, Robbins and Streisand. I *do* remember him actively doing stuff to make a difference, always with a twinkle in his eye.
I also always admired his refusal to sign autographs.
But gee, are we really in new MSM territory where obituaries of admired people are spun to make their politics acceptable to the progressive left?
Sep 27, 2008 - 10:49 am 11. NahnCee:P.S. I should probably mention that the obit’s I was referring to are the one’s on the AP site and the LA Times … not this one.
Sep 27, 2008 - 10:51 am 12. jimmy arone:Thank you John for writing this today in memory of such ‘a good and decent man’.
Paul Newman was a life force and will be missed by so many all over the world.
I fondly remember the many times I would sit in the darkness of the Coolidge Theatre, in Watertown, MA., and be entertained and inspired by his tremendous gifts as an actor.
Years later, when I moved to Los Angeles, to fulfill my dream of becoming an actor, sneaking into the audition for the movie ‘Slap Shot’ and meeting Paul Newman.
I’ll never forget how well he treated me over the week I got to play hockey with him and one day in particular, being ‘a young buck’ out to prove myself,’checked him’ at center ice only to have ‘the old man’ later come up and knock me ‘flat on my ass’ with a sweet smile on his face.
He was so cool.
Everything you’d expect and much more. I just loved the guy and along with the rest of you, I will miss him.
Grateful he will live on through all of those wonderful characters he created on the silver screen.
God Bless you, Paul Newman and may your sweet soul forever rest in peace.
Jimmy Arone
Sep 27, 2008 - 11:08 am 13. GayPatriot » In Memoriam Paul Newman:Burbank, CA.
[...] In a touching tribute to Newman, John Nolte writes: Even for a movie star he was uncommonly handsome and charismatic. And [...]
Sep 27, 2008 - 12:03 pm 14. FreedomLover:It isn’t always about politics. Paul Newman was a wonder at his craft, and a joy to watch.
“Good night, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.” Hamlet (V, ii)
Sep 27, 2008 - 12:41 pm 15. Jake Was Here:Somewhere, Paul is having a friendly argument with Chuck Heston over who won last night’s debate.
Sep 27, 2008 - 12:45 pm 16. Wacky Hermit:The world would be a better place if it were full of Paul Newmans. At least in the years since I’ve been paying attention, he spent less time “talking the talk” and more time “walking the walk” when it came to political causes that were important to him. He used his celebrity for good instead of using it as a way to merely get attention for himself. And he made some damn good salad dressing.
Sep 27, 2008 - 1:04 pm 17. Karen:Newman was actually one of the few “Movie Stars” left. As an actor he was one of the very best! I didn’t like his liberal leanings and his politics, but he was one liberal who I could still enjoy watching his movies: Cool Hand Luke, HUD, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Hombre, The Sting, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Drowning Pool, Towering Inferno, The Prize, Torn Curtain, Long Hot Summer, The Young Philadelphians, From the Terrace, The Verdict! What an actor!
Sep 27, 2008 - 1:05 pm 18. Cletus:Gone are the days of Gregory Peck, Paul Newman, John Wayne, Charleton Heston, and Clark Gable
We are left with Sean Penn, Matt Damon, Danny Glover, Tim Robbins, and Martin Sheen
sigh
at least we still have Chuck Norris
Sep 27, 2008 - 1:29 pm 19. subrot0:You wonder if someone of Paul Newman’s ilk will come into Hollywood again? I seriously doubt it. He was born in a different era with a different mindset. He was a rarity that made Hollywood what it was.
Sep 27, 2008 - 1:58 pm 20. Paul Newman 1925-2008 | The Anchoress:[...] Wikipedia has his whole filmography. John Nolte has a great obit and appreciation. [...]
Sep 27, 2008 - 2:14 pm 21. Roy Lofquist:My favorite movie of all is “The Hustler”. George C. Scott, Piper Laurie, Jackie Gleason and Newman were masterful. George C. Scott snubbed the Oscars the next year for his award for “Patton”. He thought his best performance ever was “The Hustler”.
Sep 27, 2008 - 3:48 pm 22. RFTR:Westport is not “rural,” even though Newman lived in a farmhouse.
It was also not “near” Westport. If it was near Westport then it would be in Fairfield, Westin, WIlton or Norwalk, as there is no unincorporated land bordering Westport.
The house is in Westport.
Sep 27, 2008 - 4:06 pm 23. lovemyUSA:Great obit–had tears in my eyes remembering…a legend has passed, and we have so few left to compare…
Jake, you made me smile–”Somewhere, Paul is having a friendly argument with Chuck Heston over who won last night’s debate.”
Sep 27, 2008 - 4:34 pm 24. Glenn Kenny:NahnCee asks: “gee, are we really in new MSM territory where obituaries of admired people are spun to make their politics acceptable to the progressive left?”
Gee, NahnCee, Newman WAS an anti-war liberal, who WAS on Nixon’s enemies list. You think the obits ought to omit that just to make you comfortable?
Sep 27, 2008 - 4:38 pm 25. Waller:Normally I shun products funding causes, but I never had a problem buying “Newman’s Own”. Liberal or not, Newman lived what one would call a good life, as his 50 year marriage would attest. He was a quietly political man who put his money where his mouth was.
I was a wee lad when I saw “Cool Hand Luke.” It was my first experience in seeing a movie where the main character was incredibly flawed and never redeemed himself. Luke was on a train ride of self-destruction but we never gave up hope that he would straighten himself out. With Newman’s portrayal we couldn’t help but like Luke but we found him frustrating. One of the most powerful roles in movie history.
Newman embodied so much that this generation of actors could learn from. He will be missed indeed.
Sep 27, 2008 - 5:22 pm 26. patrick neid:Hombre…
Sep 27, 2008 - 6:18 pm 27. cedarford:Besides being a movie star, he was a Navy Vet of WWII and married to Joanne Woodward for 50 years.
Besides being a movie star, he absolutely excelled in two other fields that had nothing to do with films:
1. Newman was an absolutely gifted auto racer, something he started later in life than most. He had superb vision, situational awareness, “feel” - and lightning reflexes. After the 3 years it took to get his international professional racing license, for almost 20 years, he was among the world’s best endurance racers, once finishing 2nd in the Le Mans. (In 1979, driving a Porsche 935.) He is also in the record books as the oldest driver to win a professional team race. He was still competing in open field, and beating most younger drivers, into his late 60s.
Plus his off-track racing with Steve McQueen, Lee Marvin, and a pack of serious gearheads is captured in many stories.
On top of being a driver, he built one of the best racing teams ever, Newman/Haas. And helped build events into “great events” and brought along some of the best drivers and crews.
He was as special to the racing community as he was to filmgoers.
2. Newman invented the business model, along with his manager, of the commercial product created and branded to devote profits from sales to charity. The guy generated over a Quarter of a Billion dollars in philanthropy from “Newmans Own” plus he was an annual giver of several hundred thousand to several million dollars of his own income and investment returns every year for almost 30 years, that add an estimated 50 million (so far, pending his Will) to the quarter of a billion.
This was a guy who lived a life..
Sep 27, 2008 - 6:20 pm 28. toby:Why do media outlets keep ignoring his poignant film Exodus?
Sep 27, 2008 - 6:48 pm 29. john from cinncinati:sad to hear of his passing heckof an actor for sure.
Sep 27, 2008 - 7:07 pm 30. BMoon:veterans in Hollywood, bunch of great guys and gals. Hollywood needs to wise up and start recruiting some real American heroes, again.
MY THREE FAVORITE NEWMAN FILMS…
“Still shakin’ it, boss, still shakin’. I’m shakin’ it, boss.” (Cool Hand Luke)
Peter: It’s not gonna be easy being you, is it?
Sully (Newman): “Don’t expect much from yourself in the beginning. I couldn’t do everything at first, either.” (Nobody’s Fool)
And if you want to see a great movie that deals with the Press’ superiority complex and smugness, see Absence of Malice.
Paul Newman- the quintessential Americana person - great actor, great American, great man.
Sep 27, 2008 - 7:28 pm 31. Bud Sulander:Well said, CalIndie! Well said! Paul Newman was the epitome of a man’s man…not just the roles he played in movies, but his life and the way he lived it. He was a talented artist…that may be how he’s most remembered, but it may well be the least of his accomplishments. His philanthropy…his dedication to not only his own children and grandchildren, but to children who need hope. He gave that to so many! And not to mention the fact that he was so dedicated to his wife…a marriage that lasted 50yrs. All men should use Paul Leonard Newman as a role model.
Sep 27, 2008 - 7:44 pm 32. henley:A little gem of a film is Newman’s “Harry and Son”. Robby Benson co-starred, and the rest of the cast included Morgan Freeman, Wilford Brimley, Judith Ivey, and Ellen Barkin. I think 43 people may have seen it in the theaters, and another 27 may have caught it on HBO. But I highly recommend it. Newman and Benson were both wonderful in it.
Sep 27, 2008 - 11:56 pm 33. R.I.P Paul Newman, 1925 - 2008 « WitSnapper | The Blog:[...] epitaph from John Nolte at PajamasMedia: “It‘s the rare circumstance where we mourn the loss of the man more than the star.” The countless beneficiaries of Newman’s Own Foundation, past and to come, will doubtless [...]
Sep 28, 2008 - 3:56 am 34. donna:The liberal media should be ashamed.
Instead of focusing on Mr. Newman’s philanthropic ventures and family, they are focusing on his 60-70’s political views. As if Americans should take heed to vote Democratic if they want to “pay their respects” to him.
Conservative or liberal, he did indeed “walk the walk.”
Sep 28, 2008 - 7:34 am 35. Keegy United States - Paul Newman: 1925 - 2008:[...] Paul Newman: 1925 - 2008 [...]
Sep 28, 2008 - 8:22 am 36. Rita:I hope that God gives him the reward that his life here on earth earnd for him. He was a class act and I can’t think of anyone left that could compare to him. He did walk the walk and for that if nothing else, he made a difference without calling attention to himself. Where are men like him today?
Oct 1, 2008 - 3:50 pm 37. movie fan:it’s hard not to admire Paul Newman for putting his money to work in such productive ways, such as his Newman’s Own line–high quality stuff and the proceeds go to good causes… very smart.
Oct 13, 2008 - 9:30 am 38. Bill Brandt:There were many facets to Paul - those of us who follow auto racing also knew him as an exceptionally skilled driver.
Someone in one of the car mags wrote a wonderful account of his early racing days - listed as “P.L. Newman” in the schedule it was an unwritten rule that drivers wouldn’t hassle him about autographs, talk movies - just let him drive.
This worked for a few years until it got to the point every time he left his trailer there would be throngs of people wanting something or another.
I knew someone who was a pit drew in the early days of the Can Am and one evening at Laguna Seca he, Newman and other crew/drivers just all went out to dinner together. Paul liked being treated as “one ofthe guys” and it least for the first few years got his wish.
Nov 9, 2008 - 9:54 pm 39. N:[...] Newman
Jan 17, 2009 - 12:19 pm