Friends, Family & Colleagues Remember Paul Newman

(CLICK HERE to share your favorite memories of Paul Newman with Access. Some of your messages may appear on air and/or on AccessHollywood.com.

After Hollywood icon Paul Newman passed away on Friday after a long battle with cancer, his family, friends and colleagues remembered the Oscar-winning actor, philanthropist and family man.

“There is a point where feelings go beyond words. I have lost a real friend. My life – and this country – is better for his being in it.” — Robert Redford

*****

“He was my hero.” – Julia Roberts

*****

“He set the bar too high for the rest of us… Not just actors, but all of us. He will be greatly missed.” – George Clooney

*****

“Yes, his eyes were that blue and beautiful. I had the most memorable time singing and dancing with Paul in the musical version of ‘Our Town’ on live television with Frank Sinatra. I also have very sweet recollections of filming ‘Exodus’ with him in Israel and spending time off-screen with his beloved Joanne and our respective families. His legacy as a humanitarian for children around the world is unmatchable. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Joanne and the family.” — Eva Marie Saint

*****

“It’s a great loss, in so many ways. The history of movies without Paul Newman? It’s unthinkable. His presence, his beauty, his physical eloquence, the emotional complexity he could conjure up and transmit through his acting in so many movies – where would we be without him? In ‘From the Terrace’ or ‘The Hustler’ or ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’ or ‘The Verdict’ or ‘Nobody’s Fool,’ to name just a few pictures that come to mind, he’s more than just iconic. In those movies and in many, many others, he created characters that are lasting and durable. His powerful eloquence, his consummate sense of craft, so consummate that you didn’t see any sense of effort up there on the screen, set a new standard. My own experience working with him on ‘The Color of Money’ was a joy, and my memories of our time together are precious. But in addition to being a great actor, one of the greatest really, he was also such a fine, caring man. I will miss him greatly.” — Martin Scorsese

*****

“Paul Newman was my first leading man…and set the bar impossibly high for everyone after that. His generosity was real and inspirational to everyone who knew him and the world was a better place while he was here.” — Victoria Principle

*****

“His was an important life lived in ways that exemplified what good, caring human values look like in a truly decent human being.  In his life and in his work, he was a giver – and never a taker.” — Sidney Poitier

*****

“Paul was a great friend and role model for over 30 years. His beautiful spirit touched millions of people around the world. His work with countless charities and his creation of the Hole in the Wall Gang Camps is inspiring and a lasting legacy. We send the family our deepest condolences, especially Joanne who Paul loved so much.” — Bob & Harvey Weinstein

*****

“Paul Newman played many unforgettable roles. But the ones for which he was proudest never had top billing on the marquee.

Devoted husband. Loving father. Adoring grandfather. Dedicated philanthropist.

Our father was a rare symbol of selfless humility, the last to acknowledge what he was doing was special. Intensely private, he quietly succeeded beyond measure in impacting the lives of so many with his generosity. Always and to the end, Dad was incredibly grateful for his good fortune. In his own words: ‘It’s been a privilege to be here.’

He will be profoundly missed by those whose lives he touched, but he leaves us with extraordinary inspiration to draw upon. During this difficult time, we ask for privacy for our family.” – His daughters, Susan, Stephanie, Elinor, Melissa & Clea

*****

“Paul was an American icon, philanthropist and champion for children. We will miss our dear friend, whose continued support always meant the world to us. Our prayers and thoughts are with Joanne and the Newman family and the many people who Paul impacted through his endless kindness and generosity.” – President Bill Clinton and Senator Hillary Clinton

*****

“Paul Newman was the ultimate cool guy who men wanted to be like and women adored. He was an American icon, a brilliant actor, a Renaissance man and a generous but modest philanthropist. He entertained millions in some of Hollywood’s most memorable roles ever, and he brightened the lives of many more, especially seriously ill children, through his charitable works. Paul was one of a kind. The beloved film star will be missed by a world of fans and admirers.” — Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger 

*****

“I was blessed to have know him. The world is better because of
him. Sometimes God makes perfect people and Paul Newman was one of
them.” — Sally Field

*****

“The world has lost an angel. Philanthropist, humanitarian, a man of compassion, conviction and courage, an intelligence born of curiosity, an open mind, a beautiful heart, and a wicked sense of humor. He was always a hero of mine both as an actor and as a man and it was an honor to have known his wonderful spirit, to act with him, to laugh with him, and to sit in the passenger seat while he drove 100 mph with mischief in his eyes.” — Tim Robbins

*****

“Paul Newman was a class act; smart, sexy, generous and kind. He was committed equally to justice and pranks. He was something you don’t hear mentioned often these days; a good man. He taught me to appreciate the home grown tomato, championship badminton and chamber music. He will be missed.” — Susan Sarandon

*****

“Paul was a very fine actor and a really good race driver. But mostly, he personified humanity – always taking care of those who were less fortunate. For me, this will be his legacy.” — David Letterman

*****

“What makes the passing of Paul Newman so excruciating for me is that I have lost one of the best friends I ever had. I have truly dreaded this day.

You see, I simply loved that man. And today I am thinking about him and savoring every moment I was with him, every conversation we had on the phone, every dime I ever lost to him in a bet. I could laugh out loud thinking about things we did together over the last 25 years, but it’s agonizing at the same time. Paul was someone I always wanted to be around and I’m going to miss him every day that I have left in my life.

Assessing his legacy is easy…. He lived the life of three men. An incredibly full life. And he can never be replaced in any possible way.” — Mario Andretti

*****

“The Westport Country Playhouse board of trustees and staff are deeply saddened by the passing of Paul Newman, a compassionate humanitarian. Our hearts go out to Joanne Woodward and her family, who have shown extraordinary strength and spirit during this difficult time.” — Anne Keefe, artistic director of the Westport County Playhouse

*****

“Paul Newman’s craft was acting. His passion was racing. His love was his family and friends. And his heart and soul were dedicated to helping make the world a better place for all.

Paul had an abiding belief in the role that luck plays in one’s life, and its randomness. He was quick to acknowledge the good fortune he had in his own life, beginning with being born in America, and was acutely aware of how unlucky so many others were. True to his character, he quietly devoted himself to helping offset this imbalance.

An exceptional example is the legacy of Newman’s Own. What started as something of a joke in the basement of his home, turned into a highly respected, multi-million dollar a year food company. And true to form, he shared this good fortune by donating all the profits and royalties he earned to thousands of charities around the world, a total which now exceeds $250 million.

While his philanthropic interests and donations were wide-ranging, he was especially committed to the thousands of children with life-threatening conditions served by the Hole in the Wall Camps, which he helped start over 20 years ago. He saw the Camps as places where kids could escape the fear, pain and isolation of their conditions, kick back, and raise a little hell.

Today, there are 11 Camps around the world, with additional programs in Africa and Vietnam. Through the Camps, well over 135,000 children have had the chance to experience what childhood was meant to be.

In Paul’s words: ‘I wanted to acknowledge luck; the chance and benevolence of it in my life, and the brutality of it in the lives of others, who might not be allowed the good fortune of a lifetime to correct it.’

Paul took advantage of what life offered him, and while personally reluctant to acknowledge that he was doing anything special, he forever changed the lives of many with his generosity, humor, and humanness. His legacy lives on in the charities he supported and the Hole in the Wall Camps, for which he cared so much.

We will miss our friend Paul Newman, but are lucky ourselves to have known such a remarkable person.” — Robert Forrester, Vice Chairman of the Newman’s Own Foundation

*****

“On behalf of Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing, my wife Bernadette and myself, I want to express our most sincere condolences to Joanne and the entire Newman family on the loss of a great human being. Paul and I have been partners for 26 years and I have come to know his passion, humor and above all, his generosity. Not just economic generosity, but generosity of spirit. His support of the team’s drivers, crew and the racing industry is legendary. His pure joy at winning a pole position or winning a race exemplified the spirit he brought to his life and to all those that knew him. We will truly miss him.” — Carl Haas, co-owner of Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing

*****

“We truly lost a great man. Most of us knew him as Butch or Fast Eddie from the theater or from our living rooms at home. He was much more than a great actor. His legacy will be his five children, his wife, Joanne and all the sick children around the world who desperately needed his help. Paul was a man of character who cared about the world and the people who lived in it. Putting a smile on a young person’s face and helping people in need was a virtue he excelled at. Little did anyone realize a child born of such humble beginnings could affect our lives in so many positive ways. We should all learn to live by his example. We will miss him dearly but will never forget him.” — Mike Lanigan, co-owner of Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing

(CLICK HERE to share your favorite memories of Paul Newman with Access. Some of your messages may appear on air and/or on AccessHollywood.com.