Paul Newman, 83, Dies - Film Star and Much More

Paul Newman, one of the greatest film stars of 20th century cinema, died of lung cancer at the age of 83 at his home in Connecticut. His iconic looks and cheerful demeanor are the epitome of many an aspiring actor, immortalized in popular culture in the song "Paul Newman's Eyes" and in the first sketches of the superhero Green Lantern by artist Gil Kane. Speaking of his brilliant blue eyes, Mr. Newman once said, "Here lies Paul Newman, who died a failure because his eyes turned brown."

He had numerous memorable roles for which he will be remembered, from Cool Hand Luke to Butch Cassidy. He also established an enduring legacy of Hole in The Wall Gang Camps, named after the outlaw gang in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. The financial basis of this venture were the profits arising out of Mr. Newman's popular brand of salad dressings and other food products, Newman's Own.

He often played a rebel, not quite in the James Dean style, but often as a fundamentally flawed hero, who was a bad guy, yet adored by the audience. In The Hustler, and later in The Color of Money, he reprised the role of Fast Eddie, smooth-talking con man-turned-liquor salesman. Earlier, he was the alcoholic football player Brick Pollitt, where he asked, "What is the victory of a cat on a hot tin roof?", and received the answer, "Staying on it as long as she can."

Paul Newman stayed on the rollercoaster of film for a long time, making over 65 movies in 50+ years. Recently he played the retired race car, Doc Hudson in Cars, a has-been who won three Piston Cups before fading from the scene. This cannot be said about Mr. Newman, who retained the adoration of fans and film-lovers till the last. He took up stock car racing at the age of 75, and entered the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest winner in Dayton in his category.

His second marriage to actress Joanne Woodward lasted over 50 years, and was marked by its longevity and fidelity. As he once told Playboy magazine, "Why go out for hamburger when you have steak at home?" His eldest son, Scott Newman, died of an alcohol and drug overdose in 1978. He is survived by his five daughters and his wife, who he produced and directed in various movies.