One of the good guys – RIP Paul Newman 1925-2008

Paul Newman:  actor, producer, director, race-car driver, philanthropist, environmentalist, and maker of organic salad dressing?  That’s right, he was iconic in the film business and his distinguished “Newman’s Own” brand includes organic options like salad dressing, pasta sauce, salsa, and lemonade.  Plus, his mandate for social responsibility includes a commitment to donate all profits to charitable organizations through Newman’s Own Foundation.  To date, Newman’s Own has donated an astounding 265 million dollars!  So not only was he absolutely gorgeous and mesmerizing on screen, but he’s also a benevolent entrepreneur sharing his wealth with many worthy causes.

Newman’s Own started in 1983 and its tagline is “shameless exploitation in pursuit of the common good.”  Well, the common good is all the charities Newman’s Own Foundation supports including:

• AIND/Giant Steps School
• Calvary Hospital
• CECP
• CT Fund for the Environment
• Discovery Center
• Feeding America
• Fisher House
• Gillen Brewer School
• International Rescue Committee
• New York City Center
• Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
• Safe Water Network
• UNA-USA

Newman’s compassion focused on children too; he had 6 kids himself, and in 1988 his extraordinary devotion to social responsibility continued as founder of The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Ashford, Connecticut.  This is a non-profit summer camp and outreach program for kids and their families coping with cancer or other serious illnesses.  The camp name is derived from the secret outlaw hiding place in one of Newman’s most famous films, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.”  There are now camps, available free of charge to eligible children, in all 50 states and in 39 countries around the world.  On June 9, 2009, Julia Roberts, Jerry Seinfeld, Robert Redford, Bill Clinton, and Harry Connick Jr. were guest speakers at the Lincoln Center gala in New York on behalf of Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Camps honouring the late founder.

His personal life was embodied by his marriage to Joanne Woodward, a true Hollywood love story that lasted over 50 years.  Married 50 years in Hollywood is nothing short of a miracle, and their romance is a testament to their commitment to each other.  The two met in 1953 while Newman debuted on Broadway in William Inge’s “Picnic”, Woodward was an understudy.  They resided in Connecticut since 1961 and she was with him there when he died at 83 of lung cancer – until death did them part.  When asked by Playboy Magazine why he ignored the temptation of other women, Newman responded “I have steak at home, why go out for hamburger?”  Later asked by AARP Magazine why their marriage has lasted, he realistically and sincerely responded: …because of “great impatience tempered by patience. When you have been together this long, sometimes you drive each other nuts, but underneath that is some core of affection and respect.”

An inspirational career that spanned decades, you can view his filmography on imdb here.

Did I mention he was a restaurateur too?  In late 2006, chef Michel Nischan and Newman teamed up to open ‘The Dressing Room’ which they labeled a homegrown restaurant serving local, natural and organic foods located about an hour from New York City.  Featuring ‘heirloom grains’ (non-modified), organic ‘wave hill’ bread, and pasture raised beef available year round from a local farm in NY.  One of their menu specialties includes the P.L. Newman “Mini Burger” described as local pasture-fed beef grilled over a wood fire, noble Amish cheddar, caramelized onions, and house-cured bacon.  Yum!  Or for vegetarians, try the Newman Says “Use a Spoon” Chopped Salad featuring early summer veggies, heirloom shell beans, and kohlrabi local goat cheese. If I’m ever near New York, I’ll be there.

Paul Newman was an advocate for social responsibility and it’s clear with his abundant humanitarian efforts.  He knew how to put fame and fortune to good use and he will eternally be remembered on film and in history as the ultimate ‘good guy’.  Check out this tribute to Paul:Please enter the url to a YouTube video.