Paul Newman's death mourned

Sep 28, 2008, 15:36 GMT

A file picture dated 04 Mat 2006 of Hollywood legend Paul Newman (C) arriving at Ferragamo Palace in Florence on Thursday 04 May 2006. Newman has died at the age of 83, his spokeswoman has confirmed on 27 September 2008. . EPA/CARLO FERRARO

New York/Los Angeles - The death of Hollywood legend Paul Newman at age 83 of lung cancer was mourned around the country on Saturday.

Newman became a lasting image in more than 50 films throughout his career, including Cat on a Hot Tin Roof with Elizabeth Taylor and Hud. He was married for 50 years to actress Joanne Woodward - a rare feat in the world of US cinema.

Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman

His food company, Newman's Own, produced more than 200 million dollars in profits since 1982 - money which was donated to philanthropic works such as his Hole in the Wall camps for children with serious illnesses.

The Hole in the Wall camp organization said Newman's 'selfless commitment to the welfare of children living with serious medical illnesses has been inspirational to people everywhere.'

Paul Newman and Liz Taylor

They said the camps were part of 'his living legacy that will continue to thrive.'

'Paul's leadership, compassion and motivational spirit can never be replaced, but he has left us strong and confident. Through the many camper smiles we witness each and every day, Pauls dream lives on.'

Robert Redford, 71, his co-star in the 1969 classic Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and the 1973 The Sting, said he had lost 'a real friend.'

'There is a point where feelings go beyond words,' Redford told Entertainment Tonight.

The two Hollywood legends wanted to make one more movie together, but Newman retired last year, saying he did not feel like taking on any more projects.

Actress Meryl Streep said there was no one like him, and that he had lived a life to be proud of, noting his commitment to family, his work on behalf of the less fortunate.

Actress Julia Roberts told People magazine that Newman was her 'hero' for his social engagement.

Actor George Clooney said that Newman had raised the bar so high in terms of standards not only as an actor but also for ordinary people, it was difficult for anyone to reach his heights.

'We will miss him very much,' Clooney said.

Former president Bill Clinton and Senator Hillary Clinton called him an 'American icon, philanthropist and champion for children' and said he had influenced many 'through his endless kindness and generosity.'

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, a former action star, called him the 'ultimate cool type,' a brilliant actor and a Renaissance man.

Italian film diva Gina Lollobrigida called Newman a 'wonderful, sincere human being and actor,' who lived his life away from the Hollywood glitter and gave much to international cinema.

British actor Daniel Craig, who worked with Newman in Road to Perdition, called Newman one of the greatest actors of all times and a wonderful man, saying an era had ended with his death.

Oscar winner Kevin Spacey called Newman a modest 'giant' who always claimed he had just been lucky, when everyone knew it was his talent, humour and large heart that made him a star.

According to rare interviews from past years that were re-run on US television, Newman once said: 'I've been very lucky. I try to acknowledge it by giving something to people for whom luck has been brutal.'

In 1978, Newman's son from a previous marriage, Scott Newman, died of a drug overdose, leading him and Woodward to found the Scott Newman Centre, which works to prevent substance abuse through education, and runs a camp for children and families whose lives have been affected by drugs, alcohol abuse, or domestic violence.

The couple also toned down their lifestyle, and went public with their grief - wondering aloud whether their earlier lifestyles had deprived Scott of the attention he needed growing up.

Asked by CNN's Larry King if he had ever gotten over his son's death, Newman replied: 'I'm not sure that you do. Everything gets different but it doesn't get better.'