My all-time favorite male actor has died. Paul Newman was 83.
In a recent article on Elvis, I wrote about my youth being spent in my father’s movie theatres beginning in the early 1950s. Hence, Paul Newman has been in my life since, well…forever.
His first movie that I recall was Somebody Up There Likes Me in 1956. Paul played the role of legendary middleweight boxer, Rocky Graziano. It was also the first film in which Steve McQueen appeared. I was mesmerized. Newman jumped off the screen.
For six decades, he appeared in 60-movies, so picking a favorite is difficult. For a 10-year period from 1958-67, there were his “H” movies (among others): The Long, Hot Summer; Cat on a Hot Tin Roof; The Hustler; Hud; Harper; Hombre; and Cool Hand Luke. I loved them all, but if I had to pick, The Hustler and Cool Hand Luke topped my list.
However, in 1969, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid came along, and it quickly became my all-time Newman favorite. My first viewing of the Newman-Redford hit was with a few college buddies in Jacksonville, Florida. Since then, would you believe I’ve probably seen that movie more than 50 times? (Remember, I lived in movie theatres.) “Who are those guys?”
There were many more great films after Butch and Sundance, including The Sting and his award-winning role in The Color of Money. Needless to say, I could go on and on about his brilliant film career…and don’t forget his charitable ways via his “Newman’s Own Foundation.”
His philanthropy, his movies, his blue eyes, his smile…and who could say it better than Dragline (George Kennedy) from Cool Hand Luke:
He was smiling… That’s right. You know, that, that Luke smile of his. He had it on his face right to the very end. Hell, if they didn’t know it ‘fore, they could tell right then that they weren’t a-gonna beat him. That old Luke smile. Oh, Luke. He was some boy. Cool Hand Luke. Hell, he’s a natural-born world-shaker.
Rest in Peace Paul Newman.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=5dffc141-7a52-4fe2-baaf-25e659f183ba)
We have lost a true national treasure.
Comment by Bostonian — September 27, 2008 @ 2:13 pm
He was many things to many people. A man’s man. A ladies man. A great actor. A great humanitarian. For once, I agree with Bostonian…we have indeed lost a national treasure.
Comment by Delmartian — September 27, 2008 @ 2:19 pm
Butch: “I have vision, and the rest of the world wears bifocals.”
RIP Paul
Comment by Manny — September 27, 2008 @ 5:14 pm
Butch: “If he’d just pay me what he’s spending to make me stop robbing him, I’d stop robbing him.”
Loved Butch and Sundance.
Thanks Paul.
Comment by mrMet — September 27, 2008 @ 5:16 pm
Butch: “No, no, not yet. Not until me and Harvey get the rules straightened out.”
He was the best. Thanks for the memories.
Comment by GMAN88 — September 27, 2008 @ 5:35 pm
Butch: “Are you crazy? The fall will probably kill you.”
Great lines. Great movie. Great actor.
Rest in peace, Paul.
Comment by Dblue — September 27, 2008 @ 5:59 pm
Good stuff on Butch, but my favorite was Cool Hand Luke. Great ending to the Blog by quoting Kennedy.
That smile was priceless.
Many thanks, Paul. You will be missed.
Comment by Cardiff101 — September 27, 2008 @ 6:06 pm
Somebody up there liked him indeed…..
Comment by Mr. Cinema — September 27, 2008 @ 6:29 pm
Interesting that Paul was as loved by guys as he was by the women. Those blue eyes were mesmerizing. Now I live within a few miles of the famous jump off the cliff into the river in Butch Sundance. Oldtimers in Durango remember the cast and crew from that movie being a significant part of life around here for awhile - alas, too early for me. Southwest Colorado has many wonderful spirits in this amazing area and Paul Newman’s is certainly among them. Thanks, Paul - for the memories….they will endure.
Comment by guyneth — September 27, 2008 @ 10:37 pm
Wow…interesting that Newman was so beloved. Sadly, we wait until death to learn of people’s true feelings.
As a fan of Butch Cassidy, little did I know that it was Durango that hosted the memorable cliff scene. Thanks, Guyneth.
Can you swim?
GZG
Comment by GZG — September 28, 2008 @ 1:20 am
Thanks for the memories Gil and a fond farewell to Paul. I didn’t know the ditty about the Durango history - but then I don’t know much about Durango, guess I better go visit! Soon I promise, right now it’s Chicago, Jamaica then Dallas.
jbg
Comment by Jan — September 30, 2008 @ 10:52 am
it’s hard not to admire Paul Newman for putting his money to work in such productive ways, such as his Newman’s Own line–high quality stuff and the proceeds go to good causes… very smart.
Comment by movie fan — October 16, 2008 @ 11:56 pm