Classic Movie Legend Tribute: Paul Newman

Happy Birthday to Classic Movie Legend, Paul Newman, born January 26th, 1925.

Paul Newman in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969, George Roy Hill director)

Let me tell you a little story about my freshman year at College. The date is September 26^th, and I had been a student in the Purchase Film Conservatory for less than a month. Still in the “getting to know you” stage of my college experience, it’s fair to say that most of my new acquaintance knew very little about me. However, one thing they did know about: my Paul Newman obsession. Not only did I decorate my dorm room with a matted picture of ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid era’ Newman, I also had various Newman’s Own product labels scattered between my Katharine Hepburn plaque and Billie Holiday posters. It was all very tastefully done, I swear. But I digress.

Paul Newman, actor, humanitarian, and all around good human being.

So, September 26^th, 2008, a month into my freshman year of college, Paul Newman passed away. Still as big a star as he was in the 50’s, it was all over the news and was the talk of everyone in the film program. And, to great surprise, many of my new friends came up to me personally and offered me condolences about his death. To be honest, I wasn’t sure if I should be flattered or creeped out, but I thanked them all none-the-less and chose to accept it. There are worse things you can be know for during your freshman year of college other than being “Paul Newman girl”.

Paul Newman, making looking good seem far too easy since 1925.