Paul Newman

[pecunium]

It took me a while to warm to him as an actor. First thing I saw him in was The Sting.

But I did, and finally came to understand the fascination with his eyes. It didn't work for me in stills (which is where I kept seeing the paeans), but in a mobile face... incredible.

Not that one can know a celebrity, but he always struck me as a fairly level-headed guy; someone who had managed to come to grips with being filthy rich, without thinking it was because of some incredible merit.

The obit in the Washington Post makes me think this was a good take on it.

Newman continued to act in recent years, notably as the stage manager in a 2002 Broadway revival of Thornton Wilder's "Our Town," but he was certain acting was not his whole life. He said that over the toilet bowl in his office bathroom he hung a letter from a fan -- of his tomato sauce. The letter ends: "My girlfriend mentioned that you were a movie star and I would be interested to know what you have made. If you act as well as you cook, your movies should be worth watching."

Even if the letter writer was pulling his chain... hanging it up, and taking it as read, shows a sense of self I'd hope to have in his shoes.

Comments

[supergee.livejournal.com]

Newman always struck me as a guy who had a sense of humor about himself, and that confirms it.

[tlatoani.livejournal.com]

At one point, he apparently commented to a reporter that he was making more money from the pasta sauce than from his movies. He took it in stride. (And made some damn good food products, for what they are.)

Hello after a LONG TIME

[krystaleyes.livejournal.com]

I would have to admitt, I have always enjoyed Paul Newman as an actor, He always had this laid back type of persona to him. Never seemed snooty, Just very cool, and laid back. I'm much younger then he, but I always found this wierd state of attractivness to him. I think this was a good take him. Dont even know if I am still on your friends page, but hope you decide to add me back in. *smiles softly*

[benet.livejournal.com]

The thing that really made me realize Paul Newman's talent was being stuck on a bus from Ottawa to Toronto with Message in a Bottle being shown. I punted on the headphones, but of course das Blinkenlights still draw the eyes.

Whenever it was just Penn and Costner on screen my eyes would just wander away again, to scenery or book or what have you. But when Newman was on - it was actually interesting! Here was a person, thoughts, feelings, a life. He acted with his whole body, rather than just saying the lines. Instructive.

I also really liked the fake cease-and-desist letter he wrote to the Office of Housing and Urban Development, claiming prior use of the name Hud.

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

He could act, that was it.

[texaslawchick.livejournal.com]

His book on how the salad dressing company came to be is a fun read.

Everything I've ever heard about him makes me think that he was a decent human being that had a good time living.