Paul Newman

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12 Feb 2024

Paul Newman

Paul Leonard Newman was a multi-talented individual who left an indelible mark on various fields including acting, philanthropy, and sports. Born in Shaker Heights, Ohio, Newman's interest in theater emerged during his childhood, leading him to perform in stage productions at a young age. He pursued his passion further by obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in drama and economics from Kenyon College in 1949.

Newman's acting career gained momentum with his Broadway debut in William Inge's "Picnic" in 1953. He later honed his craft at the Actors Studio under the tutelage of Lee Strasberg, a pivotal experience that shaped his approach to acting. Throughout his illustrious career, Newman delivered a plethora of acclaimed performances on stage and screen, earning him numerous accolades including an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in "The Color of Money" in 1986.

In addition to his acting prowess, Newman was also a skilled racing driver, winning several national championships in Sports Car Club of America road racing. His passion for racing was matched only by his dedication to philanthropy. Newman's Own, the food company he co-founded, became synonymous with charitable giving, with all post-tax profits and royalties donated to various causes. His philanthropic efforts extended beyond his food company, with the establishment of organizations such as the SeriousFun Children's Network and the Safe Water Network.

Newman's personal life was marked by his enduring relationship with actress Joanne Woodward, whom he married and shared six children with until his passing. His legacy continues to live on not only through his iconic performances on screen but also through his profound impact on charitable endeavors and his lasting contributions to the world of sports and entertainment.

Paul Leonard Newman, a renowned actor, philanthropist, and entrepreneur, was born on January 26, 1925, in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Raised in the nearby suburb of Shaker Heights, Newman was the second son of Theresa Garth and Arthur Sigmund Newman Sr. His father, Arthur, ran a sporting goods store, while his mother, Theresa, was a practitioner of Christian Science and also worked in the family business.

Newman's upbringing fostered his early interest in theater, and he began acting at a young age. His first role came at the age of seven, playing the court jester in a school production of Robin Hood. By age 10, Newman had already performed at the prestigious Cleveland Play House in a production of Saint George and the Dragon, showcasing his talent and dedication to the craft of acting. He continued to develop his skills as an actor, becoming a notable alumnus of the Curtain Pullers children's theater program at the Cleveland Play House.
After graduating from Shaker Heights High School in 1943, Newman briefly attended Ohio University in Athens, where he became a member of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. However, his passion for acting led him to pursue further opportunities in the field, eventually setting him on the path to becoming one of the most acclaimed actors of his generation.

Paul Newman served in the United States Navy during World War II, stationed in the Pacific theater. Initially, he enrolled in the Navy V-12 pilot training program at Yale University, but his colorblindness led to his dismissal from the program. However, Newman later revealed that his inability to become a pilot was also due to difficulties with mathematical tasks required for piloting, rather than just colorblindness.

Following his dismissal from pilot training, Newman underwent boot camp and received training as a radioman and rear gunner. Despite struggling as a gunner, his friends reportedly helped him pass the training by providing false information to Navy trainers.
Newman qualified in torpedo bombers and was assigned to various replacement torpedo squadrons based in the Pacific, including VT-98, VT-99, and VT-100. His duties primarily involved training replacement combat pilots and aircrewmen, with a focus on carrier landings. He later served as a turret gunner in an Avenger torpedo bomber.

Newman was assigned to the aircraft carrier Bunker Hill shortly before the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. However, due to his pilot's earache, their crew was grounded, sparing them from a devastating kamikaze attack that killed many of their fellow crewmen and airmen.
The traumatic experiences Newman witnessed during his military service reportedly influenced his acting later in life. Screenwriter Stewart Stern recounted that Newman drew upon a specific incident from his Navy years to express his character's trauma in the 1956 film "The Rack." Newman recalled the horrifying memory of his best friend being killed by a plane's propeller on an aircraft carrier, using it as an emotional trigger for his performance.

After completing his Bachelor of Arts degree in drama and economics at Kenyon College in 1949, Newman embarked on a journey to further hone his acting skills. He joined several summer stock companies, including the Belfry Players in Wisconsin and the Woodstock Players in Illinois. Touring with these companies for three months, Newman sharpened his talents and gained valuable experience.

Following his time with the summer stock companies, Newman briefly attended the Yale School of Drama for one year. However, he ultimately decided to move to New York City to study under the renowned acting coach Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio.
Despite opportunities in Hollywood, Newman initially hesitated to leave New York City, expressing concerns about being too close to the entertainment industry's allure and lacking a conducive environment for studying. Nevertheless, he relocated to New York City in 1951 with his first wife, Jackie Witte. They settled in the St. George section of Staten Island, where Newman continued his pursuit of acting and embarked on his journey to become one of Hollywood's most iconic figures.