Legendary film star, philanthropist, devoted husband, passionate car racer and worldwide sex symbol Paul Newman has died after a long battle with cancer.
Hollywood legend Paul Newman has died after a battle with cancer. He was 83. The star of such films as Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, The Hustler, The Color Of Money, Road To Perdition and many more over a career spanning 50 years, was surrounded by members of his family at the time of his death.
Newman was nominated for ten Oscars over the years, winning three, the first for the 1986 film The Color Of Money, directed by Martin Scorsese.
Newman acted in 60 films in all, appearing in some with his wife, Joanne Woodward, like The Long Hot Summer and Paris Blues. He worked alongside legends like Alfred Hitchcock, Robert Altman, Robert Redford, Elizabeth Taylor, Lauren Bacall and Tom Hanks. He even provided his voice for the 2006 Pixar movie Cars, which turned out to be his last role.
Famed for his philanthropy as well as his acting, Mr. Newman was married to Oscar-winning actress Joanne Woodward for more than 50 years.
Too see more wonderful photos and the original wedding announcement for Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, go here.
He also had successful side careers as an auto racing driver and creator of a line of food products, Newman's Own,** that bore his name and face on their labels.
The "Newman's Own Foundation," took profits from that company and sponsored numerous charitable organisations. Newman also founded his "Hole in the Wall" Camps, which provided fun summer breaks for children around the world suffering from life-threatening illnesses.
Above: In addition to being a great actor, his passion was racing. He was still racing cars, even at age 80.
"His love was his family and friends. And his heart and soul were dedicated to helping make the world a better place for all," Robert Forrester, vice-chairman of the Newman's Own Foundation, said in a statement.
Former taoiseach Albert Reynolds paid tribute to the actor today, describing him as "an inspirational character". Mr. Reynolds met Mr. Newman when the actor was looking for an Irish home for his Barretstown Gang charity. "It was Albert Reynolds who brought Paul Newman to Ballymore Eustace, where he found the estate to be enchanting and an ideal location for his children's charity," a spokesman for Mr Reynolds said.
Mr. Newman was born in a Cleveland suburb on January 26th, 1925, and was a Navy radio man in the Pacific during World War Two. Afterward, he went to Kenyon College in Ohio on a football scholarship but took up acting after being cut from the team because of a bar-room brawl.
After his father's death, Mr. Newman helped run the family sporting goods store before heading to the Yale Drama School.
He ended up in New York, finding bit parts in TV and a Broadway role in Picnic in 1953. His first major movie role was portraying boxer Rocky Graziano in Somebody Up There Likes Me .
The above video is by Youtube user ItsCourtenayMmkay
His loss will affect the entire world and he will most certainly never be forgotten.
**Newman's Own®, Inc., founded on a lark by Paul Newman and his buddy A.E. Hotchner in 1982, is now a leading premium food company that offers more than 150 varieties of delicious all-natural food and beverage products. Based in Westport, CT, the charitable mission of Newman's Own is expressed in its Company motto: "Shameless exploitation in pursuit of the Common Good." Paul Newman and the Newman's Own Foundation donate all profits and royalties after taxes for educational and charitable purposes. Paul Newman and the Newman's Own Foundation have given more than $250 million to thousands of charities worldwide.