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Paul Newman Retires From Acting
Paul Newman Says He's Too Old for Acting
May 25, 2:22 PM EST
The Associated Press
Paul Newman says he's given up acting.
"I'm not able to work anymore as an actor at the level I would want to," Newman, 82, told ABC's "Good Morning America" on Thursday. "You start to lose your memory, your confidence, your invention. So that's pretty much a closed book for me." Newman, star of films such as "Hud," "Cool Hand Luke" and "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," added: "I've been doing it for 50 years. That's enough."
He has other plates spinning. Newman plans to focus on the Dressing Room, his new organic restaurant in Westport, Conn., and his Hole in the Wall Gang camps for critically ill children. His Newman's Own brand of dressings, pasta sauces, popcorn and salsa has raised more than $200 million for charities.
Newman, who won an Oscar for his leading role in 1986's "The Color of Money," was last seen — or heard, rather — as the voice of Doc Hudson in the 2006 animated feature "Cars."
May 25, 2:22 PM EST
The Associated Press
Paul Newman says he's given up acting.
"I'm not able to work anymore as an actor at the level I would want to," Newman, 82, told ABC's "Good Morning America" on Thursday. "You start to lose your memory, your confidence, your invention. So that's pretty much a closed book for me." Newman, star of films such as "Hud," "Cool Hand Luke" and "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," added: "I've been doing it for 50 years. That's enough."
He has other plates spinning. Newman plans to focus on the Dressing Room, his new organic restaurant in Westport, Conn., and his Hole in the Wall Gang camps for critically ill children. His Newman's Own brand of dressings, pasta sauces, popcorn and salsa has raised more than $200 million for charities.
Newman, who won an Oscar for his leading role in 1986's "The Color of Money," was last seen — or heard, rather — as the voice of Doc Hudson in the 2006 animated feature "Cars."
It looks like the end of an acting career for one of the greatest actors of our time and a great person as well. In honor of his retirement I would like to pass on an anecdote witnessed by a very good friend.
The Sports Car Club of Vermont provides an excellent opportunity to tool around a beautiful state in the summer. Paul Newman is well known as an avid car enthusiast, and often drove up from his home in Westport, Connecticut to participate in weekend rallies. Word was passed around the club to give the famous actor his space and try to treat him like any other member. And this request was honored. But by the end of the summer the temptation became just too great for the reasonably attractive 16 year old daughter of the club’s president. She walked up to Paul Newman as he got out of his car, sweaty and dirty, at the end of the last rally. “Excuse me … Mr. Newman …. but I wonder if ….. um …. I might possibly … uh … have your autograph?” Newman put his arms around her waist, tipped her over just a bit, gave her a kiss she will never forget as long as she lives, and walked away. She never got her autograph.
. though I did gain respect for gene hackman after the movie: Unforgiven. I used to not like Gene Hackman. 
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