You may have heard the breaking news this morning that Paul Newman died of cancer at the age of 83. We'll remember Newman for many things: His roles in such classics as "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and "Cool Hand Luke," his passion for car racing and his piercing blue eyes. Our kids may be most likely to associate him with the voice of Doc Hudson in Pixar's "Cars." But Newman should also be honored for something else: Setting a
solid example as a husband, father and philanthropist.
Yes, he was married for almost a decade before divorcing Jackie Witte, the mother of his first three children. And their divorce sounds like it was more than a little drawn-out and sticky. But once he wed co-star Joanne Woodward, he found his soulmate and stayed unwaveringly by her side for more than 50 years, creating a lasting Hollywood union that may never again be matched. Together they raised three more children, starred in several films and gave back to their community in incredibly generous ways.
I'm guessing almost everyone reading this blog has a Newman's Own product -- some microwave popcorn, pasta sauce or salad dressing -- in his or her refrigerator or kitchen cabinet. Newman's food business, which he founded with friend A.E. Hotchner in 1982, did something astounding: It donated all of its profits to charity. Among those charities were Newman's Hole in the Wall Gang camps, which serve as havens for gravely ill children both here in the U.S. and abroad in places like Africa and Vietnam. The Hole in the Wall Web site already is paying tribute today to Newman and praising his service to young people.
As a father, Newman confronted his own grief when his only son, Scott, died of a drug overdose in 1978. Though he undoubtedly carried that grief with him every day, he demonstrated how to handle such a loss with class and to channel his sadness into something positive. He formed another valuable non-profit, the Scott Newman Center, which focused on anti-drug education.
In so many ways, Newman set an example about how to live life fully, as a parent, spouse, artist and fully engaged member of his community. He will be missed by many, but there is solace in knowing that his multi-faceted legacy lives on, in his movies and in the many people's lives he transformed through his good works.
Image: Reuters
