Paul Newman

He married actress Joanne Woodward in 1958. They had three daughters. His second marriage proved to be a happy one and the couple remained together for 50 years until Newman’s death in 2008.

Paul Newman suffered from lung cancer during his later years and died on September 26, 2008, aged 83.

Paul Leonard Newman was born on January 26, 1925 in Cleveland, Ohio, to Arthur Sigmund Newman and Theresa. His father ran a profitable sporting goods store while his mother was a homemaker. He had one older brother.

His mother loved the theater, an interest which Paul inherited. He loved acting in his school plays though as a youngster he dreamed of becoming a professional athlete as he also played football.

He graduated from Shaker Heights High School in 1943 and attended Ohio University in Athens for a short while.

Paul Newman enlisted in the U.S. Navy Air Corps and served as a radio operator during the later stages of the World War II. Upon his return to civilian life he completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in drama and economics at Kenyon College in 1949.

He started working with summer stock companies and toured with them, developing his acting skills in the process. He furthered his training at the Yale School of Drama and then moved to New York City to study under Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio.

He made his Broadway debut in William Inge's ‘Picnic’ in 1953. During this time he also started appearing on television and made his Hollywood debut as well. However, his first film, ‘The Silver Chalice’ (1954) was a flop.

He finally gained attention for his smoldering looks and acting talents in 1956 when he appeared in ‘Somebody Up There Likes Me’ as Rocky Graziano. Another hit followed soon when he starred in ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’ (1958) opposite Elizabeth Taylor.

In 1960, he appeared in Otto Preminger’s epic film ‘Exodus’ based on the novel by Leon Uris about the founding of Israel. His career thrived during the 1960s with films like ‘The Hustler’ (1961), ‘Hud’ (1963), ‘Harper’ (1966), ‘Hombre’ (1967), and ‘Cool Hand Luke’ (1967).

He portrayed pool hustler and stakehorse Edward "Fast Eddie" Felson in the drama film ‘The Color of Money’ in 1986, based on the eponymous 1984 novel by Walter Tevis. The film received critical praise and Newman’s performance was especially lauded.

His role of Donald J. "Sully" Sullivan in the 1994 comedy-drama film ‘Nobody's Fool’ was another one of his memorable performances. Highly received by film critics, Newman’s performance was said to be “the single best of this year and among the finest he has ever given".