Paul Newman, famous actor, philanthropist, race car driver, and inventor of delicious salad condiments, died today at age 83. Newman had been battling lung cancer for a number of years, and is survived by his wife of 50 years, Joanne Woodward.(Image: Joanne Woodward, Paul Newman and their dog)
Born in Shaker Heights, Ohio in 1925, Newman briefly attended Ohio University in 1943 before joining the V-12 program (through OU) in the Navy and served in WWII, initially with hopes of becoming a pilot, but discovered he was colorblind. After the war, Newman returned to Ohio and graduated from Kenyon College in 1949 before going on to Yale, studying drama/acting.
Newman's acting career lasted from 1954 (with his first film, The Silver Chalice) through his official retirement in May of 2007 when he told ABC: "You start to lose your memory, you start to lose your confidence, you start to lose your invention. So I think that's pretty much a closed book for me." Outside of his onscreen career, Newman founded Newman's Own company, which we all recognize for its salad dressings, salsas, pasta sauce, &c. Not only does this company produce fabulous food, but Newman donates all profits (after taxes) to charity; so far, the donated funds exceed $250 million USD. Amazing, right?
While preparing for the film Winning in 1969, Paul Newman developed an interest in auto racing that lasted the better part of 40 years. In April of 2008, Barbara Walters interviewed Newman and was even so brave as to climb into a race car with him - a truly amazing sight!
Paul Newman, you were an all around wonderful human being; thank you.
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