RIP Paul Newman

An amazing scene from an amazing movie.

I remember first seeing The Sting as an 8-year-old. I didn't understand two-thirds of it, but I played the 8-track soundtrack to death and walked around flicking my nose with my finger like they did in the movie.

We knew this was coming, yet it doesn't make it any easier. RIP to a member of the short list of the Greatest Actors Ever, who -- I presume -- got the right amount of dynamite and that royal flush now.

 

a million "thank you's" wouldn't suffice. great man. great actor.

about 20 years ago, a buddy of mine was driving a cab in nyc. sure enough, picked up newman from a midtown hotel for an airport run.

they're chatting amicably, talking about this and that. get around to newman's favorite movie roles. he mentions "butch cassidy."

my friend, something of a movie buff, sheepishly admits he hasn't seen "butch and sundance." :-[ :-[

newman's jaw drops. he just couldn't believe it.

"if i didn't have this plane to catch," he says, "we'd be going right to a video store, larry."

two years ago, i rented "butch and sundance" myself to make sure larry saw it. think we'll be watching it again together soon, raising a beer to mr. newman. :'( :'( :'(

 

Sirs, Madames,

Said it before, I'll say it again: He won the Oscar for a performance that wasn't one of his ten best, maybe not won of his 20 best. The Verdict is still my favorite--I told my buddy the first time we saw it that he was going to haul off and sucker Charlotte Rampling.

1. Frank Galvin
2. Luke
3. Fast Eddie the first time
4. Reg
5. Lew Harper (I'm a sucker for The Drowning Pool.)

YD&OHS, etc

 

Don't rest in peace, Butch, go out shootin'.

 

A look at the sporting side of him. Yeah yeah yeah, I'm a shill.

http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/racing/index

 

A must for people on this thread:

Iconoclasts: Redford and Newman

Here's a snippet

 

Jesus Christ, what a fucking nightmare.

It will always be an honour and a privilege to have had the chance to interview him about "Slap Shot" and Reggie Dunlop a year ago.

RIP, Paul Leonard Newman, 1925-2008. You'll be missed. :'(

 

When's the book coming?

 

Sorry, I asked that question. I'm on HC's laptop and forgot to log in under my name.

 

To be released fall 2009, courtesy of John Wiley and Sons.

"They're playing it at 4 - don't miss it!"

 

"You don't leave much when you miss Fat Man."

We have been left much by Mr. Newman.

 

Clooney won't. He's already repeating himself, big time, and you get the impression that he just doesn't want to work that damn hard.