The name Paul Newman might mean many things to you. It could be that Paul Newman was your favorite actor, having starred in some of the most popular films during Hollywood’s Golden Age, like Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958), Cool Hand Luke (1967) and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969). Or maybe you know him as a professional race car driver, where he was known for his determination and skill behind the wheel. You might also recognize the name from the charitable food company, Newman’s Own, which donates 100% of its profits to the Newman’s Own Foundation for child-focused programs and has donated over $600 million so far.
However it is that you know the name Paul Newman, it’s without a doubt that the actor, race car driver and philanthropist left a major mark on society. The critically acclaimed actor was also an Academy Award winner for his role opposite Tom Cruise in Martin Scorsese’s The Color of Money (1986).
Newman was also well-known for his striking blue eyes, not to mention his charm, both on and off screen, which may be part of what contributed to his fifty-year-long marriage to actress Joanne Woodward.
Paul Newman is shown at the beginning of his Hollywood career–in the mid-1950s.
George Rinhart / Contributor
Before he was a critically acclaimed film actor, Paul Newman was making minor appearances in TV shows such as Tales of Tomorrow (1952), The Man Behind the Badge (1953-54) and Danger (1954).
In 1956, Newman scored his breakout role in the film Somebody Up There Likes Me, where he starred as boxer Rocky Graziano—a role initially given to James Dean, who died before production began. The movie was a success, receiving much critical acclaim as well as two Academy Awards.
Paul Newman as George Gibbs
NBC / Contributor
Early in his career, Newman scored a slot on the anthology series Producer’s Showcase in 1955, starring as George Gibbs in the second episode of the second season. The series was telecast live on NBC and featured many prominent stars.
Paul Newman on the set of ‘Somebody Up There Likes Me’ (1956)
Sunset Boulevard / Contributor
Here, the actor is seen behind the camera during the making of his 1956 film, Somebody Up There Likes Me. While he hadn’t yet begun his time as a director—on films like Rachel, Rachel (1968) and The Glass Menagerie (1987)—it’s obvious that he belonged both on camera and behind it.
“I used to spend 85 percent of my time reading,” Newman once said. ”Now I spend 85 percent of my time reading for business. I think my perceptions about film are pretty good. But the fact is, there simply isn’t much good stuff around. So what’s an actor to do? You can stop working, but you have to keep the instrument tuned.”
American actor, businessman and philanthropist Paul Newman (1958)
John Kobal Foundation / Contributor
Around the time this photo was taken, Newman scored a lead role in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, alongside renowned actress Elizabeth Taylor. The two became friends after starring together, but their time filming was affected by Taylor’s grief over the loss of her husband, Mike Todd. But later on, Newman narrated a special tribute for Taylor on Turner Classic Movies (TCM).
“What can you say about a legend?” Newman said in the tribute. “So much has been written, so much has already been said for so many years about Elizabeth Taylor. Is there anything left to say?” He ended the tribute with the words, “Elizabeth Taylor is a courageous survivor, a hell of an actress and someone that I am extremely proud to know.”
American actor Paul Newman, who wears a tailcoat jacket and a white bow tie, a drinking glass in his right hand, attends the 30th Academy Awards, at the RKO Pantages Theatre, March 26t,h 1958
Michael Ochs Archives / Stringer
Paul Newman is seen enjoying his time at the 30th Academy Awards in 1958. The actor hadn’t yet received his first Oscar nomination—that would come the following year for his role in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. His first win didn’t come until years later, for his role in The Color of Money, which he won in 1987.
“It’s been a long time…” Newman said after winning his first Oscar, which he wasn’t present to accept. “I’ve been there six times and lost. Maybe if I stay away, I’ll win.”
Newman also shared a tidbit about his life with wife Joanne Woodward, who won an Oscar about 30 years before him. “Every time we get into an argument about cooking or laundering shirts, she shakes her Oscar at me and I’m dead in the water,” he recalled.
Paul Newman in shorts, playing ping pong in Jerusalem, Israel (1959)
Alexandre Fuchs / Contributor
The above photo shows Newman enjoying a game of ping pong in 1959. Although this is years prior to the filming of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, he and co-star Robert Redford would often relax on that set by playing ping pong together between takes.
The special still photographer on the film recalled, “Newman and Redford were always playing ping pong with [director] George Roy Hill or somebody else. And I would photograph them.”
Paul Newman in a promotional still for ‘Cool Hand Luke’, 1966.
Screen Archives / Contributor
Newman was already an established actor when Cool Hand Luke came around, having starred in The Long, Hot Summer (1958), The Hustler (1961) and What a Way to Go! (1964). But when Luke came around, he knew it was something special.
“‘Cool Hand Luke’ is the best script I’ve read in years,” Newman said at the time.
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