Paul Newman was an Academy Award winning American actor who was also an accomplished entrepreneur, professional racing driver, activist and philanthropist. Famous for his dashing looks and striking blue eyes, he is regarded as one of the most handsome men ever to have graced Hollywood. A highly talented actor who won multiple awards for his performances, he was also a successful racing driver with several national championships to his name.

The son of a sports store owner, he acquired his penchant for acting from his theater-loving mother. He participated in his school plays though he was more interested in athletics at that time. As a young man he enlisted in the U.S. Navy Air Corps and served as a radio operator during the World War II. After the war he studied drama and ventured into the Broadway. He got noticed for his good looks and well-built physique which landed him film roles in Hollywood.

It did not take him long to establish himself as a successful actor with films like ‘The Hustler’ and ‘The Color of Money’ to his credit. In addition to being an actor, he was also an entrepreneur who co-founded “Newman's Own”, a food company. The legendary actor was also well-known for his involvement in philanthropic endeavors. ------------------ Childhood & Early Life Paul Leonard Newman was born on January 26, 1925 in Cleveland, Ohio, to Arthur Sigmund Newman and

Theresa. His father ran a profitable sporting goods store while his mother was a homemaker. He had one older brother. His mother loved the theater, an interest which Paul inherited. He loved acting in his school plays though as a youngster he dreamed of becoming a professional athlete as he also played football. He graduated from Shaker Heights High School in 1943 and attended Ohio University in Athens for a short while. ------------------------ Career Paul Newman enlisted in the U.S. Navy Air Corps and served as a radio operator during the later stages of the World War II.

Upon his return to civilian life he completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in drama and economics at Kenyon College in 1949. He started working with summer stock companies and toured with them, developing his acting skills in the process. He furthered his training at the Yale School of Drama and then moved to New York City to study under Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio. He made his Broadway debut in William Inge's ‘Picnic’ in 1953.

During this time he also started appearing on television and made his Hollywood debut as well. However, his first film, ‘The Silver Chalice’ (1954) was a flop. He finally gained attention for his smoldering looks and acting talents in 1956 when he appeared in ‘Somebody Up There Likes Me’ as Rocky Graziano. Another hit followed soon when he starred in ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’ (195 opposite Elizabeth Taylor.

In 1960, he appeared in Otto Preminger’s epic film ‘Exodus’ based on the novel by Leon Uris about the founding of Israel. His career thrived during the 1960s with films like ‘The Hustler’ (1961), ‘Hud’ (1963), ‘Harper’ (1966), ‘Hombre’ (1967), and ‘Cool Hand Luke’ (1967). He turned director in 1968 with the drama film ‘Rachel, Rachel’ which starred his wife as the title character. The film earned him the Golden Globe Award for Best Director - Motion Picture and New York Film Critics Circle

Award for Best Director. His successful career continued throughout the 1970s and 1980s. In 1986, he appeared in one of his best known movies, ‘The Color of Money’, in the role of Fast Eddie Felson, which won him many awards and accolades. He remained active in films well into the last decade of his life. In addition to being a movie star, he also had a deep interest in motorsports and was a frequent competitor in Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) events and won several national championships as a driver.