Paul Newman, the blue-eyed heartthrob of Hollywood’s Golden Age, remains an enduring icon even after his passing. Known for his legendary acting career and his long-lasting marriage to Joanne Woodward, Newman’s life has always fascinated fans. Their love story, spanning over 50 years, is often held up as an exemplar in a town notorious for fleeting relationships. However, recent discoveries by their daughter, Melissa Newman, reveal a more intricate and sometimes darker picture of this Hollywood legend.
The Letters
Melissa Newman recently stumbled upon a collection of letters that Paul Newman wrote to Joanne Woodward. These letters, hidden away in the attic of the family home, were nearly discarded amidst the clutter. As she sifted through the torn bags, Melissa uncovered letters that ranged from sweet expressions of admiration to more risqué and intimate notes. While she chose to omit the racier parts from her book, she acknowledged that even these segments had their own charm. These letters provide a rare glimpse into the complex dynamics of Newman and Woodward’s relationship, showcasing a side of Paul Newman that the public rarely saw.
The Relationship
Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward first met in 1953 while working as understudies for the Broadway play “Picnic.” At that time, Newman was married to Jackie Witte, with whom he had three children. Despite the initial complications, Newman and Woodward’s connection deepened, eventually leading to his divorce from Witte. Their marriage, which began in 1958, was far from perfect. Newman struggled with alcoholism, which placed significant strain on their relationship. However, their bond endured, characterized by a profound mutual affection and resilience.
Melissa Newman describes her parents’ relationship as “complicated but deeply bonded.” She recalls how they frequently showed affection through small gestures, such as a touch or a pinch as they passed by one another. Despite the challenges they faced, their love remained strong, lasting until Newman’s death in 2008.
The Posthumous Memoir
In his posthumous memoir, Paul Newman credits Joanne Woodward for awakening the “sexual creature” within him. This revelation was significant for Newman, who had struggled with insecurities, particularly regarding women. The memoir also delves into the passionate and sometimes tumultuous aspects of their relationship, including Newman’s battles with alcoholism. Despite these challenges, Newman wrote that the difficulties in their relationship “evened themselves out over the years,” reflecting a deep-seated love and commitment.
The Weight of Guilt
Throughout his life, Paul Newman carried a burden of guilt related to his first marriage to Jackie Witte. According to Shawn Levy’s 2009 biography, Newman felt “guilty as hell” about the overlap between his relationships with Witte and Woodward. He struggled with the decision to divorce Witte, describing himself as a “failure as an adulterer.” Eventually, after starring alongside Woodward in the 1958 film “The Long, Hot Summer,” Newman divorced Witte and married Woodward the following year.
Despite his fidelity to Woodward after their marriage, Newman’s memoir reveals that he never fully escaped the guilt of his earlier actions. He acknowledged that their relationship “hadn’t all been a bed of roses,” but their enduring bond is a testament to their efforts to overcome these difficulties. Their daughter, Clea Newman Soderlund, also emphasized that while their relationship faced challenges, they worked hard to maintain it. Newman’s final moments, spent holding Woodward’s hand, underscore the deep connection they shared.
New Book Sheds New Light
A recently released book, “The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man,” offers a fresh perspective on Paul Newman’s life, unveiling a man filled with inner turmoil and self-doubt. Edited by David Rosenthal, the memoir is based on interviews that Newman initiated in 1986 but later abandoned. He asked his close friend, screenwriter Stewart Stern, to interview him and others who knew him well. The goal was to explore his unhappy childhood, struggles with alcoholism, and the complexities of his marriage to Joanne Woodward.
Although Newman destroyed the interview tapes in 1991, the transcripts remained, eventually forming the basis for the memoir. These transcripts reveal Newman’s internal journey, his feelings of guilt and betrayal, and his quest to understand himself better. Clea Newman Soderlund, who wrote the book’s afterword, noted that the interviews were part of her father’s process to “figure out how to get to a better place.”
Paul’s Dark Side Revealed
Paul Newman, often celebrated as one of Hollywood’s golden boys, had a darker side that a recent documentary aims to uncover. Titled “The Last Movie Stars,” this documentary, made by actor Ethan Hawke, is based on interviews with Newman, Joanne Woodward, and others close to them. The film reveals a complicated man who struggled with fidelity, alcoholism, and guilt.
Newman’s drinking was so severe that Woodward once found him lying unconscious on the floor with his head bleeding. This incident was one of many that strained their marriage. At one point, Woodward took their daughters and retreated to their Malibu beach home. Newman, desperate to reconcile, slept in his car for several nights until they reached a compromise: he would stick to beer instead of whiskey and martinis.
The documentary also touches on Newman’s infidelity. Despite his famous line about not going out for a hamburger when he had steak at home, there was at least one “hamburger” in his life. Woodward detested this remark, feeling it reduced her to a “piece of meat.” She also had to sacrifice much of her acting career to raise their children while Newman, whom she considered a lesser actor, achieved superstardom.
Paul Newman’s Legacy
Paul Newman’s legacy is complex. Known for his iconic Hollywood roles and seemingly perfect marriage to Joanne Woodward, Newman was often seen as a paragon of stability and fidelity. However, recent revelations from letters, a posthumous memoir, and a documentary have shown that he was far more complicated. His relationship with Woodward, while enduring, was marked by challenges. From his struggles with alcoholism to the guilt he carried for leaving his first family, Newman was a man at war with himself.
The letters to Woodward revealed a deeply affectionate yet “naughty” side, adding another layer to their relationship. Despite these struggles, their love lasted over 50 years until Newman’s death. The posthumous memoir and documentary further stripped back the layers, showing a man plagued by self-doubt, guilt, and infidelity. Yet, Newman was also a man of great kindness and philanthropy, especially following the tragic death of his only son, Scott, from a drug overdose.
Paul Newman passed away on September 26, 2008, from lung cancer. In his final moments, he was holding hands with Woodward, the woman who had been by his side through all the highs and lows. His death marked the end of an era, but his legacy lives on—not just as a Hollywood icon but as a deeply flawed yet fundamentally decent man.
In conclusion, Paul Newman’s life was a journey of incredible complexity. Known for his talent and enduring marriage, Newman was also a man battling inner demons. His letters to Joanne Woodward, combined with revelations from a memoir and documentary, paint a picture of a man far more intricate than his public persona suggested. Despite his struggles, Newman’s legacy as a talented actor, philanthropist, and devoted husband endures, reminding us of the multifaceted nature of human beings.
