Here’s to you, Paul Newman – for our money one of the greatest actors, philanthropists and all round good guys of his generation.
His death yesterday signaled the end of a Hollywood era, but with films like Cool Hand Luke, Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid, The Sting, Hud, Somebody Up There Likes Me and The Color of Money in his resume, Paul could definitely take his final bow with pride.
The Oscar-winner was as successful in his personal life as he was on the big screen. He could boast an incredible 50 years of marriage to his wife Joanne Woodward – almost unheard of in Hollywood. Once, when asked about infidelity, he said: "Why go out for a hamburger when you can have steak at home?"
Newman’s incredible not-for-profit Newman’s Own empire has raised over $300 million for charity. And he also donated huge sums to the Hole In The Wall Gang Camp in Connecticut for seriously ill children. He also pledged over $250,000 to help refugees from Kosovo during the war there.
So it’s farewell Paul Newman. Somebody up there likes him, and plenty of fans down here do too.