Who was Paul Newman? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Paul Leonard Newman

Died At Age: 83

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Joanne Woodward (m. 1958), Jackie Witte (m. 1949–1958)

father: Arthur Sigmund Newman

mother: Theresa Newman

siblings: Arthur Newman

children: Claire Olivia Newman, Melissa Newman, Nell Newman, Scott Newman, Stephanie Newman, Susan Kendall Newman

Born Country: United States

Jewish Actors Actors

Height: 5'10" (178 cm), 5'10" Males

Died on: September 26, 2008

place of death: Westport, Connecticut, United States

Grouping of People: Smoker

Cause of Death: Lung Cancer

U.S. State: Ohio

Ancestry: Slovak American, Polish American, Hungarian American, Indian American

Notable Alumni: Yale School Of Drama

Founder/Co-Founder: Newman's Own, Victory Junction Gang Camp, Hole in the Wall Gang Camp

More Facts

education: Ohio University, Kenyon College, Yale School Of Drama

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Childhood & Early Life

Paul Leonard Newman was born on January 26, 1925, in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, to Arthur Sigmund Newman and Theresa. His father ran a profitable sporting goods store, while his mother was a homemaker. He had one older brother.

His mother loved the theater, an interest which Paul inherited. As a youngster, he dreamed of becoming a professional athlete, and also loved acting in his school plays. He also played football during his school days.

He graduated from ‘Shaker Heights High School’ in 1943 and attended ‘Ohio University’ in Athens for a short while.

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Career

Paul Newman enlisted in the U.S. ‘Navy Air Corps,’ and served as a radio operator during ‘World War II.’ Upon his return, he completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in drama and economics from ‘Kenyon College’ in 1949.

He started working with summer stock companies and toured with them, developing his acting skills in the process. He furthered his skills at the ‘Yale School of Drama’ and then moved to New York City to study under Lee Strasberg at the ‘Actors Studio.’

He made his Broadway debut in William Inge's ‘Picnic’ in 1953. During this time, he also started appearing on television, and made his Hollywood debut as well. Unfortunately, his first film ‘The Silver Chalice’ (1954) was a flop.

He finally gained attention for his good looks and acting skills in 1956 when he appeared as ‘Rocky Graziano’ in ‘Somebody Up There Likes Me.’ He followed it up with another hit in 1958, starring opposite Elizabeth Taylor in ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.’

In 1960, he appeared in Otto Preminger’s epic film ‘Exodus’ which was based on Leon Uris’ novel. His career thrived during the 1960s with the release of films like ‘The Hustler’ (1961), ‘Hud’ (1963), ‘Harper’ (1966), ‘Hombre’ (1967), and ‘Cool Hand Luke’ (1967).

He tried his hand at film direction, and directed the drama film ‘Rachel, Rachel’ (1968) which starred his wife Joanne Woodward in title character. The film earned him the ‘Golden Globe Award’ for ‘Best Director - Motion Picture’ and ‘New York Film Critics Circle Award’ for ‘Best Director.’

His successful career continued throughout the 1970s and 1980s. In 1986, he appeared in ‘The Color of Money’ in which he played the role of ‘Eddie Felson.’ His performance in the film won him many awards and accolades. He remained active in films well into the last decade of his life.

Apart from being passionate about movies, he also had a deep interest for motorsports. He was a frequent competitor in the events organized by ‘Sports Car Club of America’ (SCCA), and won several national championships as a race driver.

Major Works

In 1986, he portrayed pool hustler and stakehorse ‘Edward “Fast Eddie” Felson’ in the drama film ‘The Color of Money,’ which was based on the 1984 novel of the same name by Walter Tevis. The film received critical praise and Newman’s performance was lauded.

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His role as ‘Donald J. "Sully" Sullivan’ in the 1994 comedy-drama film ‘Nobody's Fool’ was one of his memorable performances. Appreciated by film critics, Newman’s performance was said to be “the single best of this year and among the finest he has ever given."

Philanthropic Works

Along with writer A. E. Hotchner, Newman co-founded a line of food products called ‘Newman's Own’ in 1982. He donated all post-tax profits and royalties from the business to charity. As of December 2018, donations from his business had exceeded $535 million.

In 1988, he co-founded the ‘SeriousFun Children's Network,’ a program which funds camps for children suffering from HIV/AIDS, Sickle-cell disease, cancer, and other serious illnesses. The network has served more than 732,306 children since its inception.

Awards & Achievements

Paul Newman won the ‘BAFTA Award’ for ‘Best Actor in a Leading Role,’ ‘Laurel Award’ for ‘Top Male Dramatic Performance,’ and ‘Mar del Plata Film Festival Award’ for ‘Best Actor’ for his performance as ‘Eddie Felson’ in ‘The Hustler’ (1961).

He received an honorary ‘Academy Award’ in 1986 for his "many and memorable and compelling screen performances."

In 1986, he also won the ‘Academy Award’ for ‘Best Actor’ for his performance as ‘Fast Eddie Felson’ in ‘The Color of Money.’

For the film ‘Nobody's Fool’ (1994), he won several awards, including ‘National Society of Film Critics Award’ for ‘Best Actor,’ ‘New York Film Critics Circle Award’ for ‘Best Actor,’ and ‘Silver Bear’ for ‘Best Actor’ at the ‘Berlin International Film Festival.’

In 1994, Paul Newman and his wife received the ‘Award for Greatest Public Service Benefiting the Disadvantaged,’ an award given out annually by ‘Jefferson Awards.’

In 2015, ‘The US Postal Service’ honored him by issuing a stamp called ‘forever stamp,’ featuring his photograph.

Personal Life & Legacy

His first marriage was with Jackie Witte from 1949 to 1958. This union produced three children.

He married actor Joanne Woodward in 1958. They had three daughters. His second marriage proved to be a happy one, and the couple remained together for 50 years until Newman’s death in 2008.

He was an ordained minister of the ‘Universal Life Church.’

Paul Newman suffered from lung cancer during his later years, and died on September 26, 2008, aged 83.

2006	Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television	Empire Falls (2005)
1969	Best Director	Rachel, Rachel (1968)
1966	World Film Favorite - Male	Winner
1964	World Film Favorite - Male	Winner
1957	Most Promising Newcomer - Male	The Silver Chalice (1954)

Paul Newman Biography