Paul Newman (1925-2008)

Legendary actor Paul Newman passed away yesterday at the age of 83 in his home in Westport, CT after a battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Joanne Woodward, 5 children, 2 grandsons and his older brother.

Known as much for his striking blue eyes as his acting prowess, Paul Newman first impressed critics with 1956’s Somebody Up There Likes Me.

After an Academy Award® nod for Cat On A Hot Tin Roof in 1958, he garnered more success in the 60’s with famous roles in The Hustler, Cool Hand Luke, and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

The 70’s brought him roles in The Sting, The Towering Inferno and The Drowning Pool, keeping him among the well-known names of film.

It was the 80’s, however, that would finally bring him an Academy Award® with his role opposite Tom Cruise in The Color Of Money,

His continued relevance in film throughout the 90’s and into the current decade was shown by his much lauded performances, most notably in Nobody’s Fool and as the voice of Doc Hudson in Pixar’s Cars (2006).

Aside from acting, Paul Newman started Newman’s Own with friend A.E. Hocthner in 1982. Originally selling only salad dressings, the company has expanded to include pasta sauce, ice tea, dog food and snacks among it’s other offerings. Since the company began, Paul Newman has donated all of the profits to charity, to the tune of more than $250 million.

One beneficiary of these proceeds has been The Hole In The Wall Gang, a summer camp for seriously ill children, which Newman co-founded in 1986.

He will be missed.