Actor Paul Newman dies at age 83 (Merged threads)

[royaldisneyfan]

Very sad news today.

Yahoo! News

Paul Newman, the Academy-Award winning superstar who personified cool as an activist, race car driver, popcorn impresario and the anti-hero of such films as "Hud," "Cool Hand Luke" and "The Color of Money," has died. He was 83.

Newman died Friday after a long battle with cancer at his farmhouse near Westport, publicist Jeff Sanderson said. He was surrounded by his family and close friends.

R.I.P. Paul Newman (1925-2008)

[SusieP.]

Oh no.

[MTNGIRL]

My deepest condolences go out to his family and friends.

[Hayley B]

awwww, too sad. R.I.P

[Disneyland Daddy]

So sad.....and my condolences go out to his wife of 50+ years, Joanne Woodward. Being married 50 years is amazing.....in Hollywood - it's practically unreal.

[PrincessY]

First thing I saw on YahooNews this morning, and what sad news to start the day.

[Sorcerer's Apprentice]

Legendary actor Paul Newman dies at age 83

WESTPORT, Conn. (AP) -- Paul Newman, the Academy-Award winning superstar who personified cool as the anti-hero of such films as "Hud," "Cool Hand Luke" and "The Color of Money" - and as an activist, race car driver and popcorn impresario - has died. He was 83.

Newman died Friday after a long battle with cancer at his farmhouse near Westport, publicist Jeff Sanderson said. He was surrounded by his family and close friends.

In May, Newman had dropped plans to direct a fall production of "Of Mice and Men," citing unspecified health issues.

He got his start in theater and on television during the 1950s, and went on to become one of the world's most enduring and popular film stars, a legend held in awe by his peers. He was nominated for Oscars 10 times, winning one regular award and two honorary ones, and had major roles in more than 50 motion pictures, including "Exodus," "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," "The Verdict," "The Sting" and "Absence of Malice."

Newman worked with some of the greatest directors of the past half century, from Alfred Hitchcock and John Huston to Robert Altman, Martin Scorsese and the Coen brothers. His co-stars included Elizabeth Taylor, Lauren Bacall, Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks and, most famously, Robert Redford, his sidekick in "Butch Cassidy" and "The Sting."

He sometimes teamed with his wife and fellow Oscar winner, Joanne Woodward, with whom he had one of Hollywood's rare long-term marriages. "I have steak at home, why go out for hamburger?" Newman told Playboy magazine when asked if he was tempted to stray. They wed in 1958, around the same time they both appeared in "The Long Hot Summer," and Newman directed her in several films, including "Rachel, Rachel" and "The Glass Menagerie."

With his strong, classically handsome face and piercing blue eyes, Newman was a heartthrob just as likely to play against his looks, becoming a favorite with critics for his convincing portrayals of rebels, tough guys and losers. "I was always a character actor," he once said. "I just looked like Little Red Riding Hood."

Newman had a soft spot for underdogs in real life, giving tens of millions to charities through his food company and setting up camps for severely ill children. Passionately opposed to the Vietnam War, and in favor of civil rights, he was so famously liberal that he ended up on President Nixon's "enemies list," one of the actor's proudest achievements, he liked to say.

A screen legend by his mid-40s, he waited a long time for his first competitive Oscar, winning in 1987 for "The Color of Money," a reprise of the role of pool shark "Fast" Eddie Felson, whom Newman portrayed in the 1961 film "The Hustler."

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[Melonballer]

Sigh. I had a feeling this was coming and I am sorry it did.

[Gone2Disneyland]

I've been watching CNN all morning about it. Funny thing too is I popped in my "Cars" Blu-ray to watch last night. Talented man, generous man, beloved philanthopist.

[caesarboxfan]

RIP Paul

http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movi...ead/index.html

[Nancywitt]

Rest in Peace Mr. Newman. You will be missed.

[Disney Wrassler]

I knew he wasn't going to be around much longer. Thankfully he's free from his pain now.

[All4dISNEY]

What an extraordinary soul.

[aashee]

Sad News. He went from a great entertainer to an even better human being. Thanks for everything Mr. Newman.

[ALIASd]

An actual screen legend. His contributions to entertainment, racing and philanthropy are immeasurable.

He was one of the most beautiful actors I've ever had the opportunity to see up close, with or without his sunglasses.

Thanks Doc!