A Tribute to Paul Newman

via people

A hero on and off the silver screen, Paul Newman was a dedicated philanthropist who truly changed the film industry. Newman died on Saturday at the age of 83 after fighting a long battle with Cancer.

Known for his striking baby blues, Newman starred in over 80 films and TV productions, and was nominated for an Oscar 10 times. Some of his most famous roles include playing Brick Pollitt in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Butch Cassidy in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and Luke in Cool Hand Luke. He is credited for giving the world the first mainstream line of organic food, Newman’s Own, a popcorn, salad dressing, lemonade, and tomato sauce making company, which has been donating all of its profits to charity since 1982.

"Our father was a rare symbol of selfless humility, the last to acknowledge what he was doing was special. Intensely private, he quietly succeeded beyond measure in impacting the lives of so many with his generosity," said his daughters Lissy and Clea in a recent statement.

Over his lifetime, Newman donated more than $250 million to charities including the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, a camp he created based on Butch Cassidy that allows children with severe illnesses to participate in an outward bound program for no cost. Over 135,000 have taken part in the camp, which has 11 locations including ones in France, Ireland, Africa, Vietnam, Connecticut, and Israel.

For Newman, charity was a way of life. "What could be better than to hold your hand out to people who are less fortunate than you are," said Newman. "That's simply the way I look at it."

By CGG Contributing Reporter Christine Lenzo