Actor Paul Newman dies

Mon, 09/29/2008 - 11:17am -- JDavanza

Paul Newman

Actor, director, race car driver, entrepreneur, husband, father, humanitarian–these are just some of the many ways that Paul Newman, who died this past Friday, could be described. Classically handsome with piercing blue eyes, Newman showed time and again that there was substance and depth beneath the stunning facade.  Newman came along at a time when the anti-hero protagonist was on the rise in cinema, and he helped to define a new kind of leading man. His screen legacy includes appearances in films like The Hustler, Hud, Cool Hand Luke, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, The Color of Money (for which he won a long overdue Academy Award), Absence of Malice, The Verdict, and Nobody’s Fool. Newman learned early on in his career that to stay centered, one must live apart from the self-congratulatory environment of Hollywood. Adulation and respect, fame and fortune may have been showered upon him throughout his career, but he gave back in full measure. Proceeds from his line of “Newman’s Own” products–everything from salad dressing to popcorn–were channeled to countless charities. Newman’s artistic legacy is matched or perhaps even surpassed by his  charitable and humanitarian legacy. Rest in peace, Paul.

Doug Swiszcz, Librarian and Film Enthusiast

Link to Paul Newman page on Internet Movie Database

Link to Paul Newman’s work in Ocean State Libraries network collections

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