R.I.P. Paul Newman

"Sometimes nothing can be a pretty cool hand."

Paul Newman died last night from a long fight with lung cancer. Newman was a legend, a true icon of cinema. As far as actors go, he was genuine, giving it all to his characters, and using his fame to give it right back to society. Amazing roles in The Hustler, and The Sting, along with title roles in Hud and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Newman knew how to play it cool. I personally love him playing the selfish, greed-lust driven boss Sidney Mussburger in the Coen Brother's Hudsucker Proxy. But no Newman role (in my opinion) can top that of Luke in Cool Hand Luke, the chain gang thief with the greatest of all outlooks on life. The "damn the man" mystique of the Luke character reads on Newman himself. A relentless liberal advocate, he was a champion for liberal causes, backing up democratic candidates and notably etching his name into Dick Nixon's enemies list. His famously organic line of Newman's Own food products are great, but what's more is that all the proceeds go to charity. Newman himself was a prominent philanthropist, known for his work with seriously ill children and his co-founded Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, so named for Butch Cassidy. Newman will be sorely missed not only by movie lovers like myself, but more importantly by the many he has helped over the years. Newman was 83.