Paul Newman, heartthrob with a twist of pain

As the heartfelt obituaries and tributes have been reminding us, Paul Newman never forgot that he was an actor before he was a movie star. His training at the Actors Studio during its 1950s heyday taught him to search out the self-lacerating contradictions and double-take complexities of his characters. His irresistible good looks suggested more of a romantic hero than an unregenerate rogue, but he had a way of incorporating into his seductive appeal (those oceanic eyes, those killer abs!) a startling barbed-wire-like menace. 

Newman, however, didn't leave it there. Even his most fiendishly unapologetic cads are shown to be fighting more for their psychological survival than for their selfish advancement. To put it another way, something desperate is driving them to be baser than they really are. Whether or not they're fugitives of the law, they're almost always on the lam from secrets too shattering to share.   

For some, he'll always be Butch Cassidy to Robert Redford's Sundance Kid. But it's three early film roles that drew out of Newman what only a playing opposite a woman could expose: a softness too vulnerable to be masculinely withstood. 

Not surprisingly, two of the characters come courtesy of Tennessee Williams: Brick, the sexually repressed alcoholic locked in a marital stalemate with Elizabeth Taylor's Maggie in "Cat on a Hot Tin

Roof" and Chance Wayne, the Hollywood hustler he originated on Broadway in 1959 opposite Geraldine Page's man-devouring diva Alexandra Del Lago, and later sensationally reprised alongside her for the 1962 film. The third role is the title character of "Hud," a rowdy, unscrupulous rancher whose estrangement from his deepest feelings is painfully glimpsed when Patricia Neal hops on a bus to escape his sadistic clutches. 

"Sweet Bird of Youth" magnificently showcases the many lessons Newman picked up from his theatrical travels: Never play one emotion, when the truth is a barrage; don't give up on your character, even if he seems, morally speaking, to be a lost cause; and finally, don't worry about audience approval when the anguish you're exposing, ugly though it may be, is genuine.

I was only lucky enough to see Newman onstage once. It was in the 2002 Broadway revival of "Our Town," in which he played the Stage Manager, crisply establishing the Grover's Corners universe of Thornton Wilder's classic.   

But I have another theatrical memory of Newman that radiates just as brightly. It comes from having sat behind him off-Broadway in 1999 at Playwrights Horizons, where Christopher Durang's "Betty's Summer Vacation" was galloping riotously. My companion and I were laughing in a way that was becoming dangerously out of control; I was afraid an usher might be forced to ask us to leave.  But there was no need for embarrassment, as Newman and his wife Joanne Woodward were laughing just as uproariously as we were.

On Friday night, the lights on Broadway will dim in his honor. 

--Charles McNulty

Photo: Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof"

Credit: File photo

Comments

[Michelle Galerkin]

Paul Newman along with his beloved wife were very much a part of the Westport Connecticut social and cultural scene and it was my recent privilege to attend some plays and functions at The Westport Playhouse during the time that Paul was fighting his courageous battle. Both Joanne and her daughter Clea were thoroughly involved with the performances (Joanne even directed Golden Boy last month), at a time when "bowing out" would have seemed a likelihood. Instead, she was fully present and accepting of the thunderous applause at the end of the performance, the ovation derived from so many years of dedication to the theatre and to her husband. Her smiles were genuine. To the innocent onlooker she seemed focused on the moment. One can only imagine the horrifying reality when she returned home. Joanne's strength of character was never an act. I believe all members of the family were responding to an inner "knowing" that they had each other's strength to move through and beyond the pain of beloved Paul's passing.
I am so indebted to both Paul and Joanne and the warm and welcoming town of Westport, which allowed me a peek at these two extraordinary people. God is lucky to have Paul Newman on his side of the clouds in my heart.

[Simone]

I first fell in love with Paul Newman in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid when I saw it as a teenager. From then I kept a scrapbook of him. My other teenage friends thought I was weird liking an 'Old man' but I thought he was just lovely.

[Kimmi]

I lived in a small town in Western NY and Paul and JoAnne had a cottage on Lake Erie. I worked at a local convenience store and in walked Paul Newman, I was flabber gasted and nobody knew who he was!!! I was in my 20's but still had seen all of his movies. I cashed him out and said "Mr. Newman, that will be (whatever the cost was) and he looked at my name tag and said Miss Kimberly please call me Paul. (I melted) He still had the sexiest eyes in the biz. And it was my greatest pleasure to meet him. After he left all I could do was sigh. And I said to myself, "There goes the greatest actor of all time." For a smalltown gal to meet a man that melted many hearts in his days. God Bless and I know that he is looking down on all of us and smiling that sweet grin of his.

[Carolyn Gallagher]

I recall the first time I had the pleasure of seeing Paul Newman. As a child I watched him in, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid on a 12 inch black and white tv. Even still his talent shoned through quite vividly. I knew this wasn't just your run of the mill actor, but a very talented all around entertainer who was a master of his craft with unlimited boundaries. Afterwards I sought out his other films, never to be disappointed. Even if the film wasn't an all time hit, this didn't prevent Paul from grabbing hold of his role and providing a commanding performance.

One other quality about Paul Newman that struck me was he seemed to like having fun however, he always maintained his professionalism and dignity. He was a dedicated family man, who stayed away from the Hollywood troubles we read about each day. I have yet to read mention of drug or alcohol abuse, infidelity, abusiveness, and the usual creating of despirit publicity stunts. He was genuine and his decisions came from the heart.

Being a successful actor and race car driver wasn't enough to fulfill his dreams. He needed to share his successes and talent with those less fortunate hense the creation of Newmans Own product line to support his Hole In the Wall Camps and other charities. Even so, he didn't invite a gaggle of gossip columnist to show what a "great guy" he was, he did it quietly only used the media to promote for the good of his charities. There was never a jumping up and "look at me" demeanor we see today, he was all class.

Paul, thank you very much from the bottom of my heart for all you've given to the world. I can only hope that your legend and your work will continue on and the example you set will inspire others to follow in your huge foot steps.

You are very much missed.

[MARY AND RICHARD MCCOY]

I HAVE BEEN A FAN OF PAUL'S SINCE I WAS A TEENAGER. I AM NOW 62. WHEN MY HUSBAND WENT TO FORT BENNING, GEORGIA, DURING BASIC TRAINING,IN 1965, I FLEW THERE TO MEET HIM. WE WENT TO THE SHOW AND SAW HOMBRE.THOSE BLUE EYES MADE US FEEL SAFE IN AN UNKNOW TIME WE WERE FACING.NEEDLESS TO SAY I COULD KEEP ON MENTIONING ALL THE MOVIES WE HAVE SEEN AND HAVE IN OUR LITTLE LIBRARY OF FILMS,BUT THE WORLD, ESPECIALLY IN THIS SCARY TIME NEED THOSE BLUE EYES STARING AT US ONCE AGAIN, TO MAKE US FEEL SAFE!!!!!!!!!!

[MARY AND RICHARD MCCOY]

SO HAPPY TO READ WHAT I WROTE, BUT MADE A MISTAKE ABOUT THE YEAR. WE WERE MARRIED IN 1966, AND IN 1967 I WENT TO FORT BENNING, GEORGIA, I GUESS I WAS SO HAPPY THAT MY HUSBAND FOUND THE WEB SITE, WHERRE I COULD WRITE MY FEELINGS,I MADE AN ERROR. THANK YOU FOR LETTING A PERSON LIKE ME, WRITE ABOUT MY FEELINGS ABOUT SUCH AN EXTRORDINARY HUMAN BEING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Garry J. Beckwith]

The hearing of Mr. Newman's passing was very shocking to me. I grew up in Northern Arizona and had the apportunity to work on many western sets. However, I was never honored to work with Mr. Newman, but I always loved his flims. My kids and I use to call "Cool Hand Luke" our Family Movie, and when it came out on VHS I was one of the first to buy It. No matter what kind of film Mr. Newman made he always put credit to himself and the film, I can never remember a film with Mr. Newman in it that wasn't a great film. From "Eddie, in the Hustler" to "Message in a Bottle" he always put that extra edge in the film.

Mr. Newman I will miss you and I know my kids will miss you also.

Mrs. Woodward Newman, Paul was a great man in which he made his characters overwheming. I thank the Lord for the gift of a great and trustworthy Man and Actor.

Thank You Paul, and may God be with you.

Always,
Garry J. Beckwith

[Pam White]

My heart is so sad.
Thank You Paul and Joanne for your exemplary example to all of us as to how we can make the world a better place! You really knew how to love and live and give together. May God bless your family with peace.
Sincerely,
Pam

I liked Paul Newman, he used to give me biscuits.

[Cyndi and Ritch Holmes]

Dear Newman Family,
You must all be overwhelmed by your sad loss. My dad died on my granddaughter's birthday, Cinco de Mayo, 2007, at 85. Right after that, I remember seeing Paul on a talk show and I thought how remarkably he had grown older. He had such a great sense of humor, and I loved how you both shared the joy and funny things together, Mrs. Newman. I was so l glad he was still alive and I asked God to let him remain among us to show the correct way to live: by his love of family, remaining in a life long marriage, staying fit, busy and being such a good example of living a health based life, and then giving so much in his food endeavors to charity. Definitely, Paul is a new bloom in heaven! And Joanne, you too, are just as extraordinary. I love everything you both have been in. How lucky we still have your precious daughters and their families to carry on, showing us how to keep being fine contributors to our U. S. work ethics. We will pray for you and thank you all for letting us be part of your family because you are such humble, kind, and dear human beings. My dad, Richard Simmons was just like that also. We wish you comfort by just thinking of his smile. Fondly, Cyndi

[Jane Cloete Port Alfred South Africa]

Great great actor gone but will never be forgotten......loved all the Tennessee Williams movies he made......a real unsung hero....sympathies to his wife Joanne and family

[jennifer]

He was the only "star" that I ever met in the flesh. He was racing in St. Charles county (Missouri) at the Wentzville track in 1981. He booked the whole first floor of Noah's Ark Motel. I was working the night audit. At around 11:30pm he came strolling up to the doors. I had to hit the buzzer to allow him in the lobby. His hair was white, his skin tanned and his eyes where unbelievable blue. I couldn't even say good evening to him. He nodded his head and kept walking through the lobby. When he left later that week the employees on duty were given a 6 pack of Bud.

[Edna M Freeman]

I 've seen Paul Newman movies such as "Mr& Mrs, Bridges ,with his wife
Joanne Woodward &" The Drowning Pool"where he plays a Detective Pi
gets involved an cold murder. Paul did great things with the kids at summer camp.Sympathies go out to Joanne Woodward and family.
Good bless you.
Paul Newman will be greatly missed.

[Terri]

Im So..So...So..Sad about hearing That Paul Newman has passed away, He has been my favorite Person/Actor since I was in the 5th grade, and Im 44yrs
now, I have many clippings of him, I've been saving since I was very little, and
I shall always keep them, He was my most Favorite person in the whole wide
world, I would always stay up later, when I knew he would be on the David
Letterman Show, Infact, I saw him just not long ago on the show, then before
that last visit, I saw him again on David Letterman show and he went flying
up in that Hot Air Balloon, I was so scared, they were going to Drop him or
something, and I've always liked Joanne Woodard since I saw her in that
movie "Poisideon Adventure" and I've always think ya'll looked so good
together, and the only dressing I've been eating for quite a while the the
Paul Newmans Ceasar Dressing..I will miss him so, I always wanted to
somehow meet him, but knew that would never be, maybe in another life
good things come to good people....love, Terri

[merie purcell]

I had heard Paul was ill, but was still shocked when we heard that he had passed away. My heart goes out to his wife and family, he was an inspiration to so may peoplefor his dedication to his wife and family as well as his work. There will never be another like him in acting real life looks or anything.

God bless you Joanne,keep the memory alive.

merie Purcell,Kelowna,b.c. Canada