Twelve reasons why Paul Newman ought never to be forgotten—a least, not as long as we're alive.
Hud (1963)- Based on the Larry McMurtry novel, this was the movie that allowed Newman to unleash his inner sneering, 100-percent badass Texas bastard. It also made him a sex symbol, proving that women will, almost unfailingly, push aside the nice guy for the guy destined to make them cry.
Harper (1966)- Based on the first Lew Archer novel by hard-boiled crime great Ross MacDonald, this smart, star-studded mystery was perhaps a little too slick for its own goodbut in the mid-'60s, this was as gritty as a detective pic was allowed to get. Newman's resourceful private dick was renamed Lew Harper, but finding out why would take more snooping than we're willing to commit to.
Cool Hand Luke (1967)- The definitive Paul Newman role, as iconic as Marlon Brando's in On the Waterfront or James Dean's in Rebel Without a Cause. Newman has the time of his life playing a convict in a deep South prison camp who is constitutionally unable to bow to the dictates of the System. Hell, he even turned humble hardboiled eggs into an eternal symbol of "fuck the man."
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)- True, this would come to be known as Robert Redford's breakthrough picture, but even (generously) taking a backseat to his golden-thatched costar, Newman is undeniable as the charismatic elder outlaw. One minor complaint: Newman's Butch had to be the best-kempt outlaw in the history of the Old West. Would the ladies really have minded a little stubble?
Somebody Up There Likes Me (1956)- The life of Boston boxing great Rocky Graziano was a role originally earmarked for James Dean. Newman stepped into what would be his first quality starring role after Dean made good on his promise to live fast and die young.
The Sting (1973)- Probably the biggest commercial success of Newman's career, and while it doesn't really display Newman at the height of his powers, it's still fun to watch Newman play off someone with the acting chops of Robert "Here's to Swimmin' With Bowlegged Women" Shaw.
Absence of Malice (1981)- Newman does well here as a construction company owner smeared in a story by newspaper reporter Sally Field, who was manipulated by the sneaky feds. But don't they know that Paul don't take shit like this lying down? Haven't they been paying attention since '67?
The Verdict (1982)- The apotheosis of latter day Newman. Never has he been better than as the skeevy, second-rate Boston lawyer who is supposed to play patsy in a hot-button case filed against the Catholic Church. So, that said, why the heck did they give the Oscar to Ben Kingsley for Ghandi? The guy just sat there…
The Hustler (1961)- On the heels of his 1960 epic snoozer Exodus, Newman went small with this etched-in-acid chronicle of Fast Eddie Felsen, a small-time pool hustler who can ascend to the bigtime if he can only manage to beat aging great Minnesota Fats (Jackie Gleason, in the best screen role of his career). Black and white stills from this movie are immortalized on the walls of any pool hall worth a damn.
The Color of Money (1986)- Here is where Paul finally gets his Academy Award and, in true Academy fashion, it's more than a few years too late. Not that Color isn't a good movie (hey, it's Marty Scorcese, whatareyougonnado?) but in retrospect the golden boy should have been Paul's long before. Still, we'll watch him school über-douche Tom Cruise any day of the week.
Salad Dressing (1982-present)- Most entertainers spend the twilights of their careers coasting on the motorized wheelchairs of their own waning relevance. Some tackle new roles, redefining themselves as entertainers. One redefined the snack food aisle and helped change lives. What was initially deemed the most random product endorsement since Jesus Jeans has since born dozens of food items that have now raised enough money for charity to bail out the needy U.S. banking industry.
–Michael Barson
Slap Shot (1977)- Now here is a picture we can all get behind as Exhibit "A" for a retroactive Oscar. Easily the most fun we've had with Newman since Luke, and for many, one of the top three sports flicks of all time. Newman is so perfectly grizzled as player-coach Reg Dunlop that he can even walk around snicker-free in a beer-shit-colored leather suit.