Paul Newman Has Died
Posted by Dirty Harry on Saturday, September 27th, 2008
As great a movie star as he was, Paul Newman was a better man.
More later…
UPDATE: My Newman obituary is here. I can’t think of a better way to honor the man than to pick up one of his ‘Newman’s Own’ products the next time you’re at the grocery store.
Filed in General |
Growltigeron 27 Sep 2008 at 7:17 am 1My sympathies to his family. Their loss is our loss.
Stephanieon 27 Sep 2008 at 7:19 am 2This is so sad. One of the few decent men left in the acting profession. I feel for Joanne. My prayers are with her.
David123456on 27 Sep 2008 at 7:21 am 3The end of an era. The man was pure class, which made him highly exceptional as a Liberal.
spiffon 27 Sep 2008 at 7:25 am 4Godspeed, Paul. You will be missed.
Moon 27 Sep 2008 at 7:31 am 5It’s going to take a while for this one to sink in.
So, so sad.
Andunedhelon 27 Sep 2008 at 7:38 am 6Liberal? Very. Outspoken Liberal? Quite so. In favor of gay marriages? Loudly so. Did very unpleasant things as asking for Charlton Heaston to be changed as his introducer for a award? Yep…
But FIFTY years with the same WIFE in the movie environment? Sheesh, forgetting for a moment about his movies and the charity, that’d be enough already to miss him dearly.
Tar Heel Momon 27 Sep 2008 at 7:42 am 7God rest him. He did so much good in his life. He had a stellar career, but managed to keep that in perspective and enjoyed a long and happy marriage. Weathered some tough times but never seemed to feel sorry for himself - took all his energy and turned it into something positive.
He’s in a better place - I just know all the angels are swooning over his beautiful blue eyes.
Chris E.on 27 Sep 2008 at 7:48 am 8I am having a Newman marathon in his honor. I shall watch Hombre twice.
Kiton 27 Sep 2008 at 7:49 am 9It is the end of an era.
Tink in Calion 27 Sep 2008 at 7:51 am 10A few weeks ago, Harry said he did not want to contemplate a world without Paul Newman in it. Unfortunately, now we have to. He was a true gentleman, it is so rare that we can say that about anyone anymore. Might have to have my own film retrospective for him this weekend.
Matt Helmon 27 Sep 2008 at 7:55 am 11It’s sad moments like this that makes you realize what crap we’re left with in Hollywood. Thank God for TCM.
“I don’t care if it rains or freezes
Long as I got my plastic Jesus
Sittin’ on the dashboard of my car
Comes in colors, pink and pleasant
Glows in the dark, ’cause it’s iridescent
Take it with you when you travel far
Get yourself a sweet Madonna
Dressed in rhinestone, sitting on a
Pedestal of abalone shell
Going 90, I ain’t scared
’cause I got the Virgin Mary
Assuring me that I won’t go to hell”
Tommy Von 27 Sep 2008 at 7:56 am 12We all knew it was coming…
No one left like him.
Everyone remember the talk when Matthew McConaughey came along and how we going to “save Hollywood”? That he was the next Paul Newman?
I can’t think of anyone right now who can even come close.
Joe Weldonon 27 Sep 2008 at 8:00 am 13One of a kind.
An absolute craftsman - Newman could ACT.
Can’t say the same about Affleck, Damon, Clooney, Cruise, etc.
He was a Hollywood star many of us wanted to BE.
How many of those exist today?
RIP Mr. Newman.
Ratherreadon 27 Sep 2008 at 8:07 am 14What a loss. A great actor and a great humanitarian.
Kiton 27 Sep 2008 at 8:09 am 15Someone did a wonderful Paul Newman tribute:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g39Vh4VSXQQ
Ginaon 27 Sep 2008 at 8:13 am 16R.I.P.
Maxtypeon 27 Sep 2008 at 8:15 am 17Goodbye,Mr. Newman. Somehow I know the Good Lord has a Ferrari up there for ya’.
God Bless his family and friends.
Dirty Harry's Momon 27 Sep 2008 at 8:20 am 18Something we can agree on, Harry–the important things–Paul Newman was the essence of class, as so many of your readers have already pointed out. He exemplified an era. And, God in heaven, he was the very essence of handsome, too, right up to the end. Men–take a lesson. It is possible to be talented, gorgeous, smart, caring, successful, faithful, and loved.
A salute to Paul at our house this morning, with Newman’s Own grape juice.
Love you. Mom
Growltigeron 27 Sep 2008 at 8:27 am 19Interesting how the conservatives and moderates here put aside their political ideology to wish Paul a long and happy eternity and to sympathize with Joanne and the family.
Contrast that with the way Leftists and Liberals behaved when Reagan, Heston, Tony Snow died, and it tells you all you need to know about which party should be running any country.
megson 27 Sep 2008 at 8:33 am 20Rest in peace, Mr. Newman, you were one of the good ones.
Brooksieon 27 Sep 2008 at 8:36 am 21I second that, Growltiger.
We may have been told this was coming, but it’s as though a family member has gone.
Beautiful man, beautiful inside and out.
Now a beautiful angel.
January 26, 1925 - September 26, 2008 — Shining Cityon 27 Sep 2008 at 8:37 am 22[…] say much right now. However, I’m more than certain that Dirty Harry will have things covered here. He’s written an obituary for the wonderful actor and human being here; while I won’t […]
Jillon 27 Sep 2008 at 8:45 am 23I knew when Vanity Fair just came out with a big spread on Paul’s life just this month that the end was near.
It is weird to imagine a world without him in it. He was one of the greats.
Now on a political note (and I hate to do this) but I hope this doesn’t turn into a “Paul would have wanted Obama to win” kind of thing like Christopher Reeve’s death did several weeks before the 2004 election with Dana doing a big campaign event with Kerry. Or Joanne Woodward sitting down with Barbara Walters and going into “The best way to honor Paul would be vote for Obama” kind of crap. (can you tell I think waaaay far ahead?!) lol.
Mr24pon 27 Sep 2008 at 8:49 am 24Even though we knew this day was coming it doesn’t make it any less impactful. Rest in peace.
And DH, that is one incredible obituary. Might be one of the best things you have ever written. I cannot imagine a better one for him.
maatkareon 27 Sep 2008 at 8:50 am 25Aww…that just plain sucks. All my sympathy to his family.
For those who get the Sundance Channel, there is an episode of the “Iconoclasts” series which features Robert Redford and Paul Newman, shot a few years ago. The site says it’ll repeat Oct. 2, but I suspect it will run sooner. It’s a sweet look at two wonderful friends who’ve aged together, and now it’s even more poignant.
http://www.sundancechannel.com/films/500010362
Enderon 27 Sep 2008 at 9:13 am 26The 3 most beautiful things on Earth;
1. My wife.
2. The sun as it sets over the Delaware Bay here in Cape May, NJ.
3. Paul Newman in The Hustler.
Bob Whiteon 27 Sep 2008 at 9:23 am 27Global Warming Alert! Earth a little less cool today.
Favorite Newman movies: “The Sting”, “BC & SDK”, “Nobody’s Fool”
mjkon 27 Sep 2008 at 9:25 am 28What a real loss to his family and friends, us, and Hollywood. My sympathy and prayers to his family.
kinlawon 27 Sep 2008 at 9:30 am 29A very sad day. He is truly irreplacaeble.
We will mourn for a while of course, but not long. He wouldn’t want it that way.
Then we will celebrate his life, and remember him through his movies. That’s what he would want us to do.
ceann ruaon 27 Sep 2008 at 9:34 am 30R.I.P. Mr. Newman. Thoughts and Prayers to his family and friends. Folks have some salad today with Newman’s Own. And think on a great Man. He walked the walk. May he be at the right hand of G-d. (Great Idea DH, on Newman’s Own)
Danielon 27 Sep 2008 at 9:44 am 31I have to think that some amazing shows are being put on in heaven.
God bless Paul Newman, may he rest in Peace.
Brooksieon 27 Sep 2008 at 9:50 am 32Buffalo Bill’s defunct
who used to ride a watersmooth-silver
stallion
and break onetwothreefourfive pigeons justlikethat
Jesus
he was a handsome man
and what I want to know is
how to you like your blue-eyed boy
Mister Death.
–e.e. cummings
Bennett Marcoon 27 Sep 2008 at 10:04 am 33Newman’s best:
1. The Verdict
2. Slapshot
3. Cool Hand Luke
4. The Hustler
5. The Sting
RIP, Paul.
fiestamomon 27 Sep 2008 at 10:31 am 34So glad he didn’t let Hollywood typecast him as the pretty boy. He was a great character actor who just happened to be gorgeous. -that’s a supreme compliment btw.
Carolynon 27 Sep 2008 at 10:32 am 35God speed, Paul Newman. We were blessed for having had you here.
To Joanne - bless you for being his wife. He deserved the best and he got it.
wanketteon 27 Sep 2008 at 11:51 am 36I read the news today, oh boy…
Harry: what a lovely, lovely tribute you wrote.
Morganon 27 Sep 2008 at 12:30 pm 37Sorry to hear of Paul Newman’s death. My condolences to his family and friends. Rest in peace, sir.
CrippleHawkon 27 Sep 2008 at 1:10 pm 38Sadly another Legend gone……………..:(
Ginaon 27 Sep 2008 at 1:27 pm 39Good quote there, Brooksie.
I hate salad dressing, so instead I had a Newman-O in his honor. Those things are good. Even better than Oreos, I think. Not a bad legacy for a man to leave.
Salon 27 Sep 2008 at 3:09 pm 40Got his marinara sauce in his honor.
RIP, Mr. Newman. You will be greatly missed.
Lovely and insightful obit, DH.
Mr24pon 27 Sep 2008 at 5:21 pm 41In memory of Paul Newman I picked up The Sting and The Hustler on DVD. I’ll have a little memory marathon.
Conan O'Lenomanon 27 Sep 2008 at 7:44 pm 42Cool Hand Luke struck this teenager like a thunderbolt and the ending was devastating. Hud was another great role. Newman was the coolest star I had ever seen, even cooler than McQueen, in my book. The list of iconic roles is so long I guess I’ll just have to go out and rent some of his movies and have a Newman retrospective this weekend too.
I knew his politics yet I don’t remember him using camera-time to squawk his politics to everyone. He had class, humor, and seemed completely down-to-earth. Maybe that’s why I can watch his movies and still appreciate them. If only the left were more like him, we could all agree to disagree without so much rancor.
Clooney: The Last Movie Star? Hahahahahaha! What a joke!