A Great Actor

You can think about greatness and generosity and images of a youthful grace and beauty. You can think about children, sick children, playing in camps. Salad dressing. And popcorn.

You can think about him hobbling on a crutch, feigning indifference, while Elizabeth Taylor urged him on in her lingerie. The two most beautiful actors in all of film, and they just argued. You knew how alcoholic and sick Brick was if he wasn't dying for Elizabeth Taylor.

You can think about racing cars and diving into rivers with Redford and, with Redford again, shaking down Robert Shaw.

Left-handed Gun. Hard-boiled eggs. Torn Curtain. Hud. Hudsucker. So many movies. Six decades of them.

Joanne. Paul and Joanne. And their family.

I think of The Verdict. That great scene with Jack Warden, where Frank Galvin is on the phone, begging the other side to reconsider his own reconsideration of their settlement offer. The hyperventilating desperation crushing his pride. One of the greatest scenes in one of the greatest movies of the last 50 years.

God...Newman was a great actor.

Comments

[sugarbaby gal]

Nice tribute.
And we do look great when we argue dont we? but one party should stop feigning indifference to the other's lingerie.

[rosemil]

What a great, heartfelt piece of writing about the passing of Paul Newman. Kudos to you, Alec. And thanks for that.

[Spiriteddona]

I agree with you! Before Sarah Palin, we always agreed politically. We still agree gay rights must prove forward! October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! I put a PSA link on my humor blog, to the Caroln M. Baldwin Foundation! http://30rocksmegrooveyspiriteddona.wordpress.com/2008/09/21/proven-by-spirited-dona-blogger-alec-baldwin-perchance/
I wrote about Inflammatory Breast Cancer on my blog, because it is scary to think of a loved one facing this non lump cancer, that is almost hidden in society! http://spiriteddona.wordpress.com/2008/10/01/inflammatory-breast-cancer-i-didn't-have-it-i-deeply-care/

[MontyCello]

Our solace is in his work which we and our children can treasure forever, God Bless Paul Newman

[Agentlady007]

For Alec:
Barbra Streisand
The Way We Were:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNEcQS4tXgQ&feature=related

[foygreenwood]

Thank you Mr. Baldwin. As a veteran of the stage, I must say that your heart-felt tribute was moving. We have lost a great artist, activist, philanthropist, and friend. In addition, as a divorced dad, I'd like to acknowledge the importance of your recent publication. Your book should provide solace to fathers in our situation everywhere. Stay the fight, keep writing, keep speaking.

[moongal6]

I remember reading a Playboy interview with him in the 1970's (I think), you know, it was the 70's.
In the article, he was asked if he ever thought about betraying his marriage to the beautiful Joanne Woodward.
He said, "When you have steak at home, why go out for hamburger?"
I thought, now this man respects women.
I am so going to miss him.

[digitalmuaddib]

Cool Hand Luke is one of my favorite films of all time. Luke was a Zen Master.

"Yeah, well...Sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand."

Brilliant.

[sandpiper1]

Thanks for the article Alex..Paul Newman was truly a wonderful humanitarian and human being. His loss is all the more sad because there aren't many like him around. He just seemed so down to
earth, no airs. I loved his movies and oh, those beautiful blue eyes. He will be sadly missed. My condolence to Joann, their children, and all his many friends who are mourning his passing.
Long live his memory.

[moonglowsun]

Hearing the news of Paul Newman's passing hit me as if someone had knocked the wind from my sails. There are few actors or humans who rise to the level of a truly great person, but he was one who embodied greatness both in his career and as a person. A real role model. He didn't just talk the talk, he walked the walk.

[magen]

I though this was gonna be about McSame's acting performance as if he's for change.

Newman was great though.

[faireelinor]

Not only a great actor and a great humanitarian--but DA-YUMMM, what blue eyes!! We will indeed sorely miss him.

[sonshine]

He was a great human being! I'll miss him.

[justfacefacts]

He told us amazing stories and we loved him for it.

[longcrl]

Mr. Baldwin, thank you for this eloquent, caring and thoughtful commentary on the life of one of America's most beautiful heros. You nailed him.

Thank you for your own work as well..........you are one of our finest actors around, and your love of life, country and family are most apparent. You are actually living up to the high-bar set by Newman. Keep it up. You are brilliant. Your writing and acting make us want to live up to your own very high standards.

Thank you for being who you are.

[Louis462]

Well said, longcrl. I agree completely on both counts.

[deliriousgod]

to be fair, it doesn't take much acting if you're already great