A PHILANTHROPIST FOR OUR TIME

Paul Newman died this weekend. Since it was announced that he was ill, it wasn't a surprise - but very sad news all the same. Many articles will be written about Newman, lots of TV special reports, but I wanted to say a few words.

Paul Newman was a good actor and drove race cars and made salad dressing. I came to like Paul Newman for all the usual reasons... he was a good actor in good movies, he was handsome and seemed to be a genuinely good natured person when interviewed. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is one of my all-time favorite films. But all the articles you read about Newman suggest his arresting good looks made it difficult for him to be taken seriously as an actor at the onset of his film career  - however, he was devoted to his craft having an extensive stage background as many actors of his generation do.

But the one thing that I love best about Newman is his philanthropy. He took his hobby of making homemade salad dressing for friends and turned it into a massive charitable effort. Newman's Own (popcorn, salad dressing, spaghetti sauce, and even dog food!) donates all profits from its products to help run the several Hole In The Wall camps, a place for children with severe illnesses. He was truly grateful about his successes and used his celebrity to help him launch his noble causes: "Well, I've been very lucky and there's a lot of people who aren't very lucky. People who are lucky should hold out a helping hand to those people who are less fortunate than they are." 

A legendary actor and artist  - a race car driver - a devoted family man - and a true philanthropist. The world is a better place because Paul Newman was in it.