Top Paul Newman Performances

The death of celebrated actor Paul Newman Friday at age 83 leaves the cinematic world greatly saddened. But the simple, unsentimental truth is that film will keep Newman alive. His triumphs were many, and his failures were almost always honorable ones.

Many ingredients contributed to the Newman persona. Once dismissed as a Brando clone, he developed his own understated style. Civil rights activism, philanthropy and long-time marriage to Joanne Woodward all added to his mystique.

I interviewed him many times through the years. He was always gracious, even when stating that he loathed doing interviews. Around six years ago, a New York Times article contained one of the most moving passages of any Newman interview. The interviewer had a tuna salad lunch with Newman and Woodward at their Connecticut home and observed how each would know instinctively when the other wanted another chip or an extra pickle. As with many old married couples, no words were needed to communicate.

Ultimately, though, the Newman mystique boils down to good, sometimes great, performances. Some examples:

Somebody Up There Likes Me (1956). When James Dean met an early death, Newman got the role of boxer Rocky Graziano and delivered a vulnerable but tough performance. Watch for Steve McQueen, who always envied Newman, as one of the street gang. The movie compensated for Newman’s mannered debut in The Silver Chalice two years earlier.

The Long, Hot Summer (1958). The first Newman/Woodward movie collaboration met with public favor. Many women still mention how they got chills when Newman promised Woodward that she’d “wake up every morning with a smile.” Don Johnson starred in a TV version 27 years later and made you realize how sharp Newman’s performance was.

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