For those of you who read my column on a regular basis, you know I have already discussed the death of cool once this year with the geriatric pairing of Al Pacino and Robert De Niro in the disappointing Righteous Kill."" However, before Pacino gave us his stoic performance in the ""Godfather"" trilogy, before De Niro made us care for Jake La Motta, in ""Raging Bull,"" there was Paul Newman.
Newman passed away this past Friday at the age of 83, leaving behind a legacy as an unparalleled talent on the screen, a dedicated philanthropist and an avid race-car driver. Movies from the 50s to the 80s simply would not be the same without him. His notable roles can't be contained in a column like this, but highlights include his portrayal of Fast Eddie Felson in ""The Hustler"" and ""The Color of Money,"" the title characters in ""Hud,"" ""Cool Hand Luke"" and ""Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,"" Henry Gondroff in ""The Sting,"" Reg Dunlop in ""Slap Shot"" and even his last role as Doc Hudson in the Pixar-animated film ""Cars.""
Yet, despite the 47 major award nominations, including wins for ""The Color of Money"" and an honorary Oscar, Newman will be remembered as a man who resented the studio system he was put into, as an actor who refused to play by Hollywood's rules. Despite his seemingly boundless fame, Newman shied from the public eye, preferring to spend time on his farmhouse in Westport, Conn., with his equally famous wife - actress Joanne Woodward.
Newman's early life was full of the types of stories only Hollywood producers could dream up. He was kicked out of Ohio University for denting the dean's car with a keg. He enrolled in the Navy, but failed as a pilot because his world-famous baby-blue eyes were colorblind. He still served as a radio man, though, and used the GI Bill to attend Kenyon College, where he graduated, in his own words, ""Magna Cum Lager."" Additionally, he drove to several racing championships and managed his team to several more in open-wheel Indy Car racing.
But beyond the daredevil driving, the stories of drunken revelry and the gritty acting performances, Newman was also a humanitarian. Many people know ""Newman's Own"" brand food products, but few know that all profits from these products go to charity, a total of $220 million so far. Newman founded the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, a camp for seriously ill children, which has now expanded to several camps including locations in Ireland, France and Israel. He donated $10 million to Kenyon College and $250,000 to Kosovo relief efforts and runs a $25,000 scholarship for those who protect the First Amendment through the written word. Even when charitable, Newman made sure to reward those who shared his rebellious streak.
The simple fact is that this past Friday, America didn't just lose one of the great actors of all time, but one of the great people of the 20th century. As frequent co-star and close friend Robert Redford said of Newman, ""My life - and this country - is better for his being in it."" So, the next time you reach for your salad dressing, flip past ""Road to Perdition"" on TBS or happen upon an Indy Car race, remember Paul Newman, an American treasure.
Need to unload some Newman nostalgia? Send your reminisces to Kevin at kslane@wisc.edu.
