Paul Newman (1925-2008)

Paul Leonard Newman, born January 26th 1925 in Ohio, was an Academy Award winning actor, director, racing enthusiast and philanthropist. Newman showed an avid interest in theatre from a young age, his first role being the Court Jester in his school’s adaptation of Robin Hood, aged seven years old. As a young man, Newman served in the naval reserves in World War II, in the Pacific theatre. After being unable to train as a pilot due to being colour blind, he qualified as a radioman and gunner for torpedo bombers. After the war, Newman studied drama at Yale University and the Actor’s Studio in New York. His training enabled him to hone his natural thespian talents, subsequently leaving for Hollywood to begin his storied cinematic career. A world-renowned actor, Newman was nominated for seven Academy Awards during the course of his distinguished career, including a successful nomination for The Colour of Money, a 1986 film directed by Martin Scorcese. His other most notable films include The Hustler (1961), Cool Hand Luke (1967), Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), and more recently, Road to Perdition (2002). However, his talents were not confined to the world of acting. He was a keen automobileracing aficionado, winning several national championships whilst competing in the Sports Car Club of America during the 1970s. In 1979, he competed in the legendary 24 hours of Le Mans race, an endurance race for sports cars held in Sarthe, France, in which he finished in 2nd place. In 1982, Newman, along with the writer A.E Hotchner, founded Newman’s Own, a line of food products, based upon the principle that all proceeds, after tax deductions, would be donated to charitable causes. As of May 2008, these donations were calculated to be in excess of $220 million (US). Beneficiaries have included the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, a residential camp for seriously ill children (originally co-founded by Newman himself) and Catholic Relief Services, an international humanitarian aid agency, providing help to the developing world in emergency situations. In June 2008, the American press reported that Newman had been diagnosed with lung cancer. There were several sightings of him looking gaunt and uncharacteristically worse for wear. In August, Newman finished his course of palliative chemotherapy to return home to Connecticut, so he could spend his final days surrounded by family and friends. On September 26th, aged 83, Newman passed away, leaving behind a legacy unlike any other. A critically acclaimed actor, successful racing driver, philanthropist and devoted husband and father, Newman epitomised the term ‘Renaissance Man.’ He will be remembered for many years, and will be sorely missed.

Sam Tromans

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