Actor, Motion Picture Director, and Philanthropist. Born in to a half-Jewish family, he began acting while attending Ohio University. He joined the Navy for World War II and served in the Pacific as an Avenger aircraft gunner and radioman, including combat at Okinawa. He graduated from Kenyon College in 1949 and attended Yale University and New York's Actors' Studio, and made his Broadway debut in William Inge's "Picnic." His first movie was 1954's "The Silver Chalice," followed by noteworthy parts in "Somebody Up There Likes Me" and "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." He became an icon of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, with roles in memorable films including "Exodus," "The Hustler," "Hud," "Hombre," "Cool Hand Luke," "The Towering Inferno," "Slap Shot," and "The Verdict," and teamed with Robert Redford and director George Roy Hill for 1969's "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and 1973's "The Sting." In 1986, after numerous nominations and an Academy Award for Lifetime Achievement, Newman received the Best Actor Oscar for "The Color of Money," reprising his role from "The Hustler." His final on-camera part was in 2005's HBO film "Empire Falls," for which he won a Supporting Actor Emmy and a Golden Globe. In 1982, Newman and writer Aaron Edward Hotchner founded Newman's Own, a line of gourmet food products, and Newman donated the after-tax proceeds to charity, so far contributing over $200 million. He was also involved in auto racing as a driver and team owner, and was active in politics as a supporter of Democratic candidates and progressive causes. He died September 26, 2008 at the age of 83 from lung cancer. He was also the longtime husband of actress Joanne Woodward.
Actor, Motion Picture Director, and Philanthropist. Born in to a half-Jewish family, he began acting while attending Ohio University. He joined the Navy for World War II and served in the Pacific as an Avenger aircraft gunner and radioman, including combat at Okinawa. He graduated from Kenyon College in 1949 and attended Yale University and New York's Actors' Studio, and made his Broadway debut in William Inge's "Picnic." His first movie was 1954's "The Silver Chalice," followed by noteworthy parts in "Somebody Up There Likes Me" and "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." He became an icon of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, with roles in memorable films including "Exodus," "The Hustler," "Hud," "Hombre," "Cool Hand Luke," "The Towering Inferno," "Slap Shot," and "The Verdict," and teamed with Robert Redford and director George Roy Hill for 1969's "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and 1973's "The Sting." In 1986, after numerous nominations and an Academy Award for Lifetime Achievement, Newman received the Best Actor Oscar for "The Color of Money," reprising his role from "The Hustler." His final on-camera part was in 2005's HBO film "Empire Falls," for which he won a Supporting Actor Emmy and a Golden Globe. In 1982, Newman and writer Aaron Edward Hotchner founded Newman's Own, a line of gourmet food products, and Newman donated the after-tax proceeds to charity, so far contributing over $200 million. He was also involved in auto racing as a driver and team owner, and was active in politics as a supporter of Democratic candidates and progressive causes. He died September 26, 2008 at the age of 83 from lung cancer. He was also the longtime husband of actress Joanne Woodward.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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