Paul Newman, film star, race car driver, team owner and humanitarian entrepreneur has died at the age of 83. His spokesperson said he had died after a battle with cancer. No other details were given. He was different from so many people in the industry. He had one of those rare long-term marriages with Joanne Woodward, and once told Playboy magazine: "I have steak at home, why go out for hamburger?" when being asked about any temptations to cheat on his wife.
Paul was nominated for 10 Oscars, winning 1 for his work in "The Color of Money." He also starred in one of my favorite films of all-time "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." He retired from acting last year.
In 1982, he founded "Newman's Own," a line of food products. Proceeds from the company are donated to charity. As of last year, they have donated around $250 million to worthy causes.
Paul also cofounded the "Hole in the Wall Gang Camp," a summer camp for sick children. The camp has expanded within the U.S. and in other countries.
The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp Honors the Life and Legacy of its Beloved Founder Paul Newman
He was a man of extraordinary generosity, vision, creativity and compassion. His selfless commitment to the welfare of children living with serious illnesses has been inspirational to people around the world. Twenty years ago, Paul Newman founded The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, the first in what has grown to become the world’s largest family of camps serving children with serious illnesses. The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp is part of his living legacy, and for that we remain forever grateful. His leadership and spirit can never be replaced, but he has left us with a clear course for the future.
Paul’s dream lives on in the joy, magic and healing power of Camp. What an extraordinary privilege to have shared his friendship and affection.
“I wish I could recall with clarity the impulse that compelled me to help bring this camp into being. I’d be pleased if I could announce a motive of lofty purpose. I’ve been accused of compassion, of altruism, of devotion to Christian, Hebrew, and Moslem ethic, but however desperate I am to claim ownership of a high ideal, I cannot. I wanted, I think, to acknowledge Luck; the chance of it, the benevolence of it in my life, and the brutality of it in the lives of others, made especially savage for children because they may not be allowed the good fortune of a lifetime to correct it.” – Paul Newman
One of Paul's other loves was racing. In addition to being a racer himself, he also owned his own team of cars. When he was 70, his team won the 24 Hours of Daytona making him the oldest person to win in a major race.
Paul is survived by his wife of 50 years, Joanne Woodward, his 5 children and two grandchildren.
Rest in peace, Paul. You will be forever missed!
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