Goodnight, Mr. Cassidy

I just learned a few minutes ago that one of the last of the Hollywood titans has passed. Paul Newman died Friday night at age 83. Much publicity had surrounded his failing health in the last few years; all the while he continued his latter day philantropy, donating proceeds from his "Newman's Own" products to differing charities. He was awarded the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the 1994 Oscars for his work.

Of course, Newman was also a legendary actor. His remarkable achievement was his ability to be both a serious artist devoted to his craft and a true movie star. He had the "aura." His screen presence was palpable, much the way it had been for Clark Gable, James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart, and others. My favorite performances? Eddie Felson in THE HUSTLER (as pictured above) and THE COLOR OF MONEY and Frank Galvin in THE VERDICT. See them (or again) as a memoriam for this remarkable talent. A gaping hole is now left in the thespian and humanitarian landscapes. Rest in Peace.