Legendary Actor Paul Newman Dies At 83

Academy Award-Winner Starred In "Hud," "Cool Hand Luke," "Butch Cassidy" And Other Classics

(CBS/AP)  Paul Newman, the Academy-Award winning superstar who personified cool as an activist, race car driver, popcorn impresario and the anti-hero of such films as "Hud," "Cool Hand Luke" and "The Color of Money," has died. He was 83.

Newman died Friday after a long battle with cancer at his farmhouse near Westport, publicist Jeff Sanderson said. He was surrounded by his family and close friends.

In May, Newman had dropped plans to direct a fall production of "Of Mice and Men," citing unspecified health issues.

He got his start in theater and on television during the 1950s, and went on to become one of the world's most enduring and popular film stars, a legend held in awe by his peers.

He was nominated for Oscars 10 times, winning one regular award and two honorary ones, and had major roles in more than 50 motion pictures, including "Exodus," "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," "The Verdict," "The Sting" and "Absence of Malice."

But his career might have never gotten off the ground if people judged him by his first film, "The Silver Chalice." Newman thought his performance was so bad in that 1954 film that he took out a full-page ad in the trade papers to apologize for it, reports CBS News correspondent Bill Whitaker. It would be the only time. Nearly everything else that followed was a critical or commercial success.

Newman worked with some of the greatest directors of the past half century, from Alfred Hitchcock and John Huston to Robert Altman, Martin Scorsese and the Coen brothers. His co-stars included Elizabeth Taylor, Lauren Bacall, Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks and, most famously, Robert Redford, his sidekick in "Butch Cassidy" and "The Sting."

He sometimes teamed with his wife and fellow Oscar-winner, Joanne Woodward, with whom he had one of Hollywood's rare long-term marriages. "I have steak at home, why go out for hamburger?" Newman told Playboy magazine when asked if he was tempted to stray. They wed in 1958, around the same time they both appeared in "The Long Hot Summer," and Newman directed her in several films, including "Rachel, Rachel" and "The Glass Menagerie."

With his strong, classically handsome face and piercing blue eyes, Newman was a heartthrob just as likely to play against his looks, becoming a favorite with critics for his convincing portrayals of rebels, tough guys and losers. "I was always a character actor," he once said. "I just looked like Little Red Riding Hood."

Newman downplayed his remarkable range on 60 Minutes, saying his success was due less to his acting and more to his looks:

"I could puke. You know?" he said. "Mostly because, as I say, that it's not an accomplishment."

Newman had a soft spot for underdogs in real life, giving tens of millions to charities through his food company and setting up camps for severely ill children. Passionately opposed to the Vietnam War, and in favor of civil rights, he was so famously liberal that he ended up on President Nixon's "enemies list," one of the actor's proudest achievements, he liked to say.

A screen legend by his mid-40s, he waited a long time for his first competitive Oscar, winning in 1987 for "The Color of Money," a reprise of the role of pool shark "Fast" Eddie Felson, whom Newman portrayed in the 1961 film "The Hustler."

Newman delivered a magnetic performance in "The Hustler," playing a smooth-talking, whiskey-chugging pool shark who takes on Minnesota Fats - played by Jackie Gleason - and becomes entangled with a gambler played by George C. Scott. In the sequel - directed by Scorsese - "Fast Eddie" is no longer the high-stakes hustler he once was, but rather an aging liquor salesman who takes a young pool player (Cruise) under his wing before making a comeback.

He won an honorary Oscar in 1986 "in recognition of his many and memorable compelling screen performances and for his personal integrity and dedication to his craft." In 1994, he won a third Oscar, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, for his charitable work.

His most recent academy nod was a supporting actor nomination for the 2002 film "Road to Perdition." One of Newman's nominations was as a producer; the other nine were in acting categories. (Jack Nicholson holds the record among actors for Oscar nominations, with 12; actress Meryl Streep has had 14.)

As he passed his 80th birthday, he remained in demand, winning an Emmy and a Golden Globe for the 2005 HBO drama "Empire Falls" and providing the voice of a crusty 1951 car in the 2006 Disney-Pixar hit, "Cars."

But in May 2007, he told ABC's "Good Morning America" he had given up acting, though he intended to remain active in charity projects. "I'm not able to work anymore as an actor at the level I would want to," he said. "You start to lose your memory, your confidence, your invention. So that's pretty much a closed book for me."

He received his first Oscar nomination for playing a bitter, alcoholic former star athlete in the 1958 film "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." Elizabeth Taylor played his unhappy wife and Burl Ives his wealthy, domineering father in Tennessee Williams' harrowing drama, which was given an upbeat ending for the screen.

In "Cool Hand Luke" (left), he was nominated for his gritty role as a rebellious inmate in a brutal Southern prison.

The movie was one of the biggest hits of 1967 and included a tagline, delivered one time by Newman and one time by prison warden Strother Martin, that helped define the generation gap, "What we've got here is (a) failure to communicate."

Newman's hair was graying, but he was as gorgeous as ever and on the verge of his greatest popular success.

In 1969, Newman teamed with Redford for "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," a comic Western about two outlaws running out of time. Newman paired with Redford again in 1973 in "The Sting," a comedy about two Depression-era con men. Both were multiple Oscar winners and huge hits, irreverent, unforgettable pairings of two of the best-looking actors of their time.

Newman also turned to producing and directing. In 1968, he directed "Rachel, Rachel," a film about a lonely spinster's rebirth. The movie received four Oscar nominations, including Newman, for producer of a best motion picture, and Woodward, for best actress. The film earned Newman the best director award from the New York Film Critics.

In the 1970s, Newman, admittedly bored with acting, became fascinated with auto racing, a sport he studied when he starred in the 1972 film, "Winning."

(Paul Newman and his wife Joanne Woodward walk through the paddock area at Lime Rock Park race track in Lime Rock, Conn., Sept. 6, 1983.)

After turning professional in 1977, Newman and his driving team made strong showings in several major races, including fifth place in Daytona in 1977 and second place in the Le Mans in 1979.

"Racing is the best way I know to get away from all the rubbish of Hollywood," he told People magazine in 1979.

Despite his love of race cars, Newman continued to make movies and continued to pile up Oscar nominations, his looks remarkably intact, his acting becoming more subtle, nothing like the mannered method performances of his early years, when he was sometimes dismissed as a Brando imitator. "It takes a long time for an actor to develop the assurance that the trim, silver-haired Paul Newman has acquired," Pauline Kael wrote of him in the early 1980s.

In 1982, he got his Oscar fifth nomination for his portrayal of an honest businessman persecuted by an irresponsible reporter in "Absence of Malice." The following year, he got his sixth for playing a down-and-out alcoholic attorney in "The Verdict."

In 1995, he was nominated for his slyest, most understated work yet, the town curmudgeon and deadbeat in "Nobody's Fool." New York Times critic Caryn James found his acting "without cheap sentiment and self-pity," and observed, "It says everything about Mr. Newman's performance, the single best of this year and among the finest he has ever given, that you never stop to wonder how a guy as good-looking as Paul Newman ended up this way."

Newman, who shunned Hollywood life, was reluctant to give interviews and usually refused to sign autographs because he found the majesty of the act offensive, according to one friend.

He also claimed that he never read reviews of his movies.

"If they're good you get a fat head and if they're bad you're depressed for three weeks," he said.

Off the screen, Newman had a taste for beer and was known for his practical jokes. He once had a Porsche installed in Redford's hallway - crushed and covered with ribbons.

"I think that my sense of humor is the only thing that keeps me sane," he told Newsweek magazine in a 1994 interview.

In 1982, Newman and his Westport neighbor, writer A.E. Hotchner, started a company to market Newman's original oil-and-vinegar dressing. Newman's Own, which began as a joke, grew into a multimillion-dollar business selling popcorn, salad dressing, spaghetti sauce and other foods. All of the company's profits are donated to charities. By 2007, the company had donated more than $175 million, according to its Web site.

In 1988, Newman founded a camp in northeastern Connecticut for children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases. He went on to establish similar camps in several other states and in Europe.

[mrvolleyba11]

One of the few American Actors we could be proud of and actually set a good example for all. A sad day for the whole world!

[aterpk]

Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward accomplished what most "Hollywood" couples don''t. They stayed married.They stood by one another through thick and thin. Even in picutures of them after decades of marriage you could see the love and admiration they had for one another. To Joanne Woodward, my heartfelt sorrow that you lost your partner, lover and best friend. How lucky you were to have had what many only dream of with such an awesome man. Mr. Newman, you will be greatly missed. You brought class, honesty and pure goodness to an industry that''s forgotten those things. The millions and millions of dollars that you could have pocketed from Newman''s Own has helped countless people who otherwise would have gone without. God''s speed big guy...you did it right.

[formrusmcsgt]

One of the last of the best, no doubt.

Adios, Butch.

[jodyrae4]

Great Actor - Family man - Giver - Handsome as ever!
Class and style is what Mr. Newman will always be to me

[oneworldusa]

Truly, truly a legend in our time. Peace be with you, Mr. Newman.

[thisandthat1]

Paul Newman was an unusually classy guy in a generally superficial and unclassy profession. Too bad there aren''t more like him.

[simplemind2]

""I have steak at home, why go out for hamburger?"
Newman told Playboy magazine when asked if he was tempted to stray."

Me too - I might window shopping for a few hamburgers now and then, but I ALWAYS go home for my one and only steak.
Paul Newman is one of my heroes.

[wdh3007]

You were a great actor a one of a kind that will truly be missed. Thanks for sharing your films your ideas and your life with America.

Wayman
Jacksonville, FL

[METAUSTIN]

What a great actor! You will be missed. :-(

Rest In Peace, Paul.

[radiob2]

One of the all time great actors of all time, alongside Nicholson, Pacino, De Niro and Redford he will be sadly missed. May Providence give him his peace and honor.

[meinnv]

I grew up watching his movies and am deeply saddened by the loss of this man. My mother had been watching his movies since before I was born (she remembers the 1958 "Long Hot Summer") and we continued to do so, even to his last one--which was "voice work" and that was Cars.

What he said in the movie was quite inspiring and honest. The awards we receive in life are empty and hollow without those who we cherish in life with us (I got that from "they''re just a bunch of empty cups" when "Lightning McQueen" commented on the fact he had won 3 "Piston Cups").

It might have been an "animated" feature, but as the older and wiser of the group he made us think.

Rest in peace, Mr. Newman, we will always remember your smile and goodwill.

"What we have here...is (a) failure to communicate". And, may we get past those failures.


Godspeed, Mr. Newman, you were one of a kind.

Marie & Barbara
Las Vegas, NV

[providence_8]

Posted by zeroKnots at 11:51 PM : Sep 27, 2008

Goodnight hope to bump into you again in the future.

[providence_8]

Ps. No one made a direct statement on Pauls eternal salvation but Posted by zeroKnots at 11:16 PM : Sep 27, 2008

[providence_8]

WHY?? Providence_8?? HOW could a wonderful man like Paul Newman ave "lost his soul"?? Success?
Guess what, a rich man, obsessed with "the world" to the point of losing self will be an automaton, making presumptions EXACTLY like yours.

Hey who are we really talking about here? Paul or You? It sounds as if you have not resolved the issue of your intimate relationship with God? You can if you want to. Then you would see the Christian statements in the light of love. Jesus died for you will you call on him because of your sin debt?

[providence_8]

The word of God was not for anyone justifying their position without Christ. But that through Christ they would be justified! The word of God is a drivers manual to walk by faith with Christ. He imparts all those qualities you speak of. We in ourselves are not righteous but self centered deviant and lost. Through Jesus death at the cross are debt was paid for. Now all that remains is that you ask for Jesus to save you, be your sin bearer Lord and savior.

[providence_8]

What ELSE did Corinthians say concerning what 3 things remain Providence_8?

Corinthians was not a right up for Mr. good?
Corinthians belong to those who are in Christ?
Those who have been born again by the power of God through placing their faith in Jesus by calling on him.

The word of God was not for anyone justifying their position without Christ. But a drivers manual to walk by faith with Christ. He imparts all those qualities you speak of. We in ourselves are not righteous but self centered.

[providence_8]

The search comtinues.
Meanwhile these 3 things remain. Do you really KNOW them? Or simply profess with annoying repetition?

Believe me that I know when people use doctrinal dictation? But speaking blunt and simple is just that blunt and simple and humanly apologetic with sympathy and compassion? Why? Because Jesus said so!

[providence_8]

Heb 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

[emelder]

A great American ... RIP ... well done, Mr. Newman. I always loved, "Cool Hand Luke" the best -- No man can eat 50 eggs! A life very well lived. My sympathies to his family at this time. RIP.

[providence_8]

Just because God has no justice outside of life, doesnt say he didn''''t command you to BE IN THE wORLD.
Posted by zeroKnots at 10:52 PM : Sep 27, 2008

Mar 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

Paul would want us to know this!