Paul Newman – Bio, Wife, Children, Height, Net Worth, Age, Gay, Wiki

Quick Facts

Apart from Hollywood legends , Laurence Olivier, and , Paul Newman was another screen star who bagged a nomination for an Academy Award in more than four different decades. This feat was in addition to several other nominations and awards he snagged for different roles in the industry, including an honorary Academy Award he received in the year 1986.

Newman’s career spanned for almost six decades and within those years, he excelled in many fields of endeavor. The iconic entertainer was a successful race car driver, entrepreneur, actor, IndyCar owner, film producer, and director. Paul may have passed on, but we’ve gathered information about his life, career, family, and net worth.

Paul Newman – Bio (Age)

Paul Leonard Newman was born to Theresa Garth and Arthur Sigmund Newman, Sr. on the 26th of January 1925 in Shaker Heights, Ohio, in the U.S. His dad operated a sporting goods store while his mom was a practitioner of Christian Science and a worker in her husband’s store. The two are also parents to Paul’s elder brother, Arthur Newman who later took over his father’s business as a production manager and producer.

The award-winning actor enrolled at Shaker Heights High School for his secondary education and graduated in the year 1943. He had his college studies at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, but later dropped out after some time at the institution. During his days at the university, Paul Newman was a member of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity.

The film director played his first role as an actor in his school’s production of Robin Hood at the age of 7, as he had an interest in acting from childhood. Three years after he debuted as an actor, Paul was cast in the production of the play Saint George and the Dragon which was displayed at the Cleveland, Ohio-based professional regional theater company, the Cleveland Play House.

As a young man, Paul was part of the United States Navy troupe that served in the Pacific theatre in World War II. However, he was dropped from the Navy V-12 pilot training program after it was discovered that he was colorblind. While the war lasted, he was trained for various positions including as a rear gunner and radioman-gunner, after which he was assigned several roles in his squadron.

Not long after the end of the war, Paul returned to the classroom to obtain his degree. He joined Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio and later passed out with a degree in Drama and Economics in 1949. He was hired at several summer stock companies, after which he spent one year studying at Yale School of Drama.

His next stop was at The Actors Studio, New York City, where he took up lessons from the iconic Polish-American theatre practitioner, director, and actor – Lee Strasberg. After investing several decades in acting, Paul Newman made an exit from the entertainment industry the month of May 2007.

As a philanthropist, the actor made numerous donations for charity causes, including giving to the Kenyon College and Catholic Relief Services for the benefit of refugees in Kosovo.

A lifelong Democrat, Paul Newman passed away at the age of 83 on 26th September 2008. A private funeral service was held for him near his home in Westport, Connecticut, after which his body was cremated.

Net Worth

Prior to his death, the celebrity actor tried his hands at so many things, all of which yielded maximum rewards – many thanks to his commitment and passion for excellence. Paul Newman made a jaw-dropping income from every project he participated in as a film director, entrepreneur, race car driver, philanthropist, and actor. The actor was worth a whopping $50 million at the time of his death.

Wife And Children

The legendary screen star was married twice. The first time he exchanged his marital vows was in the year 1949 when he married his first wife, Jackie Witte. Their marriage lasted until 1958. Newman re-married in the same year, making Joanne Woodward his second wife. The two remained husband and wife until the year 2008 when the actor passed away.

Paul was a father of six; his oldest children – Scott Newman (born 1950; died 1978), Susan Newman (b.1953) and Stephanie Newman (b.1954) – were born to him by his first wife while Melissa Newman, Claire Olivia Newman, and Nell Newman, are his children with his second wife.

Was He Gay?

During his lifetime, Paul was known for his support and activism for gay-related issues. As a gay rights supporter and activist, he embarked on several projects to help the LGBT community and also give them a sense of belonging. Despite his attachment to the community, he never identified as gay nor made headlines for any gay-related rumor. He is said to have remained faithful to his wife until the day he drew his last breath.

Height

Paul Newman stood at an average height, as he was not among the tallest in the entertainment industry. Records have it that he was 1.77 meters tall, which is equivalent to 5 feet 10 inches. His weight was also listed as 165 lbs. However, details about his other body measurements are yet to be publicly revealed.

Also Read: Top 10 Richest People in the world with full biography and details.