Enjoying the JourneyA Legend Passes – Paul Newman Memories
September 27th 2008 19:25
A Legend Passes – Paul Newman Memories
Sad news was announced yesterday, Friday, September 26, 2008. The world lost one of its true legends. Actor Paul Newman has died from complications brought on by a long battle with cancer at the age of 83. He passed at his farmhouse in Westport, Connecticut, surrounded by family and close friends.
I only referred to him as an actor because that is how most will remember him, but he was so much more than just an actor. He was an activist for many causes, a race car driver for a time, and launched his Newman’s Own line of food products, which included everything from sauces to popcorn.
I truly loved Paul Newman. He has long been one of my favorites in the world of acting. He is also proof that the Academy Awards is a bit of a sham. This great talent was nominated ten times, yet he won just once. He deserved so many more. His first nomination was for Lead Actor in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" in 1958, and his final came in 2003 for Supporting Actor for the film "Road to Perdition". Now that is longevity! In between were nominations for great films like "The Hustler", "Hud", "Cool Hand Luke", "Absence of Malice", "The Verdict", "Nobody’s Fool", and even the nomination of his film "Rachel, Rachel" for Best Picture, which he directed.
His lone Oscar win came for reprising his 1961 "The Hustler" role as "Fast" Eddie Felson in 1987’s "The Color of Money" alongside Tom Cruise.
He was also given an Honorary Oscar in 1986, and won the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award presented to him by the Academy in 1994.
His greatness in acting and directing wasn’t limited to the big screen, either. He was nominated for four Emmy Awards over the years, winning just one of those awards also. His lone win came for Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie for his role in 2005’s "Empire Falls". His other nominations were for: Outstanding Miniseries, also for "Empire Falls"; in 2003 for Outstanding Lead Actor in Miniseries or Movie for "Our Town"; and finally in 1981 for Outstanding Director in a Limited Series or Special for "The Shadow Box".
His final film work was providing the voice of Doc Hudson in Disney-Pixar’s animated film, “Cars.” His final on-screen appearance was in "Empire Falls", while his final on-screen film appearance was in "Road to Perdition" alongside Tom Hanks. Not bad being nominated for the biggest awards in their medium for your final appearances in both, especially for a career that started nearly sixty years ago.
I cannot wrap up this post without at least mentioning some of his greatest roles that didn’t even get him nominated; as I said the Oscars are a bit of a sham in many ways. His roles in films like "The Long, Hot Summer", "Slap Shot", "The Sting" (nominated for 10 Oscars, won 7, and not even a nomination for Newman!), and one of my all-time favorites "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" (Nominated for 7 Oscars, won 4 – and not a single nomination for Newman or Redford!).
Now, my mission for all of you is to share your favorite memories of the legend Paul Newman. What are your favorite Newman movies?
Paul Newman - Legend (1925-2008)
Sad news was announced yesterday, Friday, September 26, 2008. The world lost one of its true legends. Actor Paul Newman has died from complications brought on by a long battle with cancer at the age of 83. He passed at his farmhouse in Westport, Connecticut, surrounded by family and close friends.
I only referred to him as an actor because that is how most will remember him, but he was so much more than just an actor. He was an activist for many causes, a race car driver for a time, and launched his Newman’s Own line of food products, which included everything from sauces to popcorn.
Cool Hand Luke
The Hustler - one of my favorites.
The Color of Money
He was also given an Honorary Oscar in 1986, and won the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award presented to him by the Academy in 1994.
His greatness in acting and directing wasn’t limited to the big screen, either. He was nominated for four Emmy Awards over the years, winning just one of those awards also. His lone win came for Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie for his role in 2005’s "Empire Falls". His other nominations were for: Outstanding Miniseries, also for "Empire Falls"; in 2003 for Outstanding Lead Actor in Miniseries or Movie for "Our Town"; and finally in 1981 for Outstanding Director in a Limited Series or Special for "The Shadow Box".
Road to Perdition
I cannot wrap up this post without at least mentioning some of his greatest roles that didn’t even get him nominated; as I said the Oscars are a bit of a sham in many ways. His roles in films like "The Long, Hot Summer", "Slap Shot", "The Sting" (nominated for 10 Oscars, won 7, and not even a nomination for Newman!), and one of my all-time favorites "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" (Nominated for 7 Oscars, won 4 – and not a single nomination for Newman or Redford!).
Paul Newman and long-tme wife Joanne Woodward in The Long, Hot Summer
Slap Shot
Paul Newman and Robert Redford as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Now, my mission for all of you is to share your favorite memories of the legend Paul Newman. What are your favorite Newman movies?
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Comment by Two Guys Sports
Reviews R Us
The Color of Money
The Hustler
Cool Hand Luke
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
The Long, Hot Summer
They are in no particular order because it is very hard to rank such incredible greatness amongst itself.
You might have been able to guess my top five by the images i used above. lol
Gene
Comment by Anonymous
a wonderful spirit
Comment by David Jobling
Culture Guide
Pop Musicology
Adelaide News | Your News
Sound Pet
Short Performance Works
So many memories of wonderful depth and emotional clarity
so grateful we have some brilliant cinema captures of him
The Sting
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Cat on a hot tin roof
xxx
David
Comment by Two Guys Sports
Reviews R Us
The Sting was very close to making my top five. It was just to hard to eliminate one of the ones I listed.
Gene
Comment by Morgan Bell
Science News
Deep Pencil
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Movie Train
Comment by Janet Collins
Acceptable Etiquette
The Social Critic
Janet Collins Blog
My top 5 isn't much different and it's more or less in order from my favourite first:
Buth Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
The Sting
The Verdit
Cool Hand Luke
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
PS It's always sad to hear legends such as Paul Newman have passed away.
Janet
Comment by Geoff Egan
Noise Fanatic
My favourites would be: The Road to Perdition, Butch Cassidy and Slap Shot. Especially Slap Shot. Fantastic actor, he'll truly be missed
Comment by Two Guys Sports
Reviews R Us
If you are going to pick one it is certainly a good one. It ranks near the top of the list of films of all-time - not just top Paul Newman films of all-time. Of course, just my opinion. I am sure many would disagree with me putting 3 Newman films near or in the top 10 films of all-time.
Gene
Comment by Two Guys Sports
Reviews R Us
First mention of The Verdict. Another excellent film, just not quite in my top five.
Gene
Comment by Two Guys Sports
Reviews R Us
I loved Road To Perdition, just not enough to knock off one of my top five. I really like Tom Hanks too, so it made it an even better film for me. Also included one of my saddest movie moments ever. The point where Paul Newman's character died. I sat there thinking (and now realizing it was correct thinking) - this is going to be his last film, and they just HAD to kill him too early in the movie.
Slap Shot is also a great one that doesn't get enough respect because many misunderstand it, I think.
Gene
Comment by Nomad
Awesome Food
Comment by Raquelle
XX
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I am planning on doing my own newman salute shortly so will save my favourites.
Dropped in to say how much i enjoyed reading your post and share the loss of a great artist and man.
Comment by Two Guys Sports
Reviews R Us
Many would agree. Like I said it just barely missed my top five.
Gene
Comment by Two Guys Sports
Reviews R Us
Good to see some older ones mentioned.
Great post by the way.
Anyone reading this - I suggest going to read her post.
Click here to read Raquelle's post.
Gene
Comment by Two Guys Sports
Reviews R Us
Thanks. Glad you stopped by.
When you get your post up come on back and add a link - or send me the link and I can add it, either way.
Gene
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
50 hard boiled eggs wasn't it?
I heard he once wanted to be remembered as a reasonable race car driver who just happened to act for a living . . . talk about a modest guy!
Comment by Two Guys Sports
Reviews R Us
Yep, it was 50.
He was such an incredible person on so many levels. So much so that I forgot to specifically point out some of his charity work. All the proceeds from his Newman's Own products went to charity. I think I heard the amount quoted at near $50 million. Also his Hole in the Wall Gang charity helps so many kids.
Gene
Comment by Lady Henrietta Muddling
Potter in a Harry
The one thing I'll remember about him beyond all his movies is his quote that went something like, "Why go out for a hamburger when you have steak at home?"
Comment by Two Guys Sports
Reviews R Us
The exact quote was -
“I don't like to discuss my marriage, but I will tell you something which may sound corny but which happens to be true. I have steak at home. Why should I go out for hamburger?”
Hearing so many of his quotes over the past few days, and also mentions of quotes here has led me to post -
The Words of The Legend Paul Newman
That is why I had the exact quote handy. Truly is a testament to the person he was and the character he had. Especially for someone who was such a sex symbol and could have had his pick more or less.
Gene
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I have just done my Newman post HERE
Scouring my archives I found I actually did a heart felt salute and list of my favourite pictures back when Newman retired from acting. That can be found HERE
I also reviewed Cool Hand Luke, The Hustler and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
Comment by Two Guys Sports
Reviews R Us
Nice posts. Thanks for coming back and sharing them, and for the link.
Gene