“One means of sanity is to retain a hold on the natural world, to remain so far as we can, good animals.”
Wallace Stegner
It is a quirk of human kind to fall in love with actors. We see them on the big screen where they are larger than life. For a few hours they tell us a story and we follow them willingly. They’re escape artists and we tag along.
My first vision of Paul Newman was in black and white. I was with Mom and Dad in a movie theatre in San Jose, California. I was 12. The film was “Hud.” Whoa!
I work in the Hollywood and over the years have grown accustom to seeing famous actors. However, prior to arriving in the Land of La, I wasn’t so blase.
In the early 80’s I saw Mr. Newman race in Portland. I’d secured an all access press pass and while wandering I noticed him walking around the corner of a trailer. I stopped dead in my tracks. He wore dark blue racing togs, sunglasses and carried his helmet. He was skinny and oblivious to the commotion he caused. I recall thinking he was like Moses parting the Red Sea as appreciative fans moved out of his way.
Over the years Paul Newman became more than my favorite actor. The was his day job. With his activism, gentility, faithfulness and the selflessness of giving back he taught me about being a good animal.
“A gentleman is one who puts more into the world than he takes out.”
George Bernard Shaw
Thank you Mr. Newman.
