Saturday, September 27, 2008

Paul Newman is Gone

A couple of headlines just hit me on my Google home page, announcing the death of Paul Newman, and I'm having to wipe away a tear or two, not something you usually do with the word of a celebrity death.

Newman certainly was one of the finest film actors to achieve star status. He played characters on screen, not always himself, and I've always admired his altruism as well. I've had his fair trade coffee a lot of mornings, doused a lot of salads with his salad dressings and downed a lot of his chocolate cookies. I have also witnessed the handiwork of checks from Newman's Own benefiting charities in my community.

He's also, always kind of defined Lew Archer for me because I was introduced to the Ross MacDonald detective series because of the movie tie-in edition of The Drowning Pool in which Newman re-created his portrayal of Lew Harper. The name change came about when the first Archer novel, The Moving Target was being adapted and Newman wanted to follow the success of Hud and Hombre with another H title. The Moving Target became Harper, and the later Twilight was really kind of an Archer/Harper movie w/out the name.

It's a sad day on many fronts.




8 comments:

Charles Gramlich said...

Sorry to hear this. I thought he was an excellent actor as well. And we did buy a lot of his products because of the charity connection.

Wayne Allen Sallee said...

What's most sad is seeing so many stars from b&w films pass away. I have a soft spot in my heart for THE STING, obviously from its Chicago location. I can name a dozen after that.

Stewart Sternberg (half of L.P. Styles) said...

I've always loved Newman. It's going to be a moving memorium when the list of those who have passed is scrolled across the television screen at the end of the year. Rest in peace, Paul.

Erik Donald France said...

I've also always loved Paul Newman, too (and his buddy Rob't Redford). Such a cool dude. As a college counseler, got to tour Kenyon College in Ohio and they talked about his generous contributions there, too.

He was indeed also a terrific actor.

Miladysa said...

He was a great star and would appear to have been a fine man.

At least he had a good innings! :-D

Lana Gramlich said...

Remember "Slap Shot"? Pure brilliance. Sad to hear this news, myself. Such a talented & generous man! (BTW, if you haven't tried Newman's Own spaghetti sauces, you MUST.)

Steve Malley said...

The real shock for me was news of his cancer a little while ago.

I'm glad we still have his work...

Sphinx Ink said...

I endorse your words, and share the sentiments. A great man, in his own way. Too bad more celebrities are not like him.

My favorite among his movies was COOL HAND LUKE.

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