Paul Newman

Paul Newman was born in Shaker Heights, Ohio, January 26, 1925. He showed an early interest in theater and made his debut in a school play of Robin Hood at age seven. After graduating high school, he served in the U.S. Navy in World War II. After the war, Newman got his degree in English from Kenyon College in 1949. He later went on to study Drama at Yale University and graduated in 1954. Newman starred in his first box office smash in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in 1958, then became one of the hottest stars in Hollywood. His popularity continued throughout the 60’s and 70’s with ten more hit movies. Over the years, he won several Academy Awards for his on screen roles. Newman is recognized as a gifted, American actor, but he should be recognized for his generocity also. In 1982, Newman founded a line of food products called Newman’s Own. The brand started with salad dressing and has expanded to many other products. Newman established a policy that all profit would be donated to charity. By 2006 the franchise had donated in excess of 250 million dollars to charity. One big beneficiary of this is the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. Newman founded this camp in 1988. It is a residential summer camp for children that are seriously ill, or have life-threatening diseases. There are several Hole in the Wall Camps in the U.S., Ireland, France, and Isreal. The camps serve thousands of children each year, free of charge. Newman was named Most Generous Celebrity of 2008 by Givingback.org when he contributed over $20,000,000 to the Newman’s Own Foundation that year. It was reported in June 2008 that Newman had lung cancer. He died on September 26, 2008, surrounded by family and friends, at age 83. The Newman’s Own Foundation continues it’s charitable donations to this day.