Just Asking
Yesterday I heard a little something about Paul Newman being close to talking that walk across the footbridge, and today the Hollywood Newsroom guys, who know absolutely nothing (and don't even put timestamps on their postings), reported they've heard from "two sources" that he's passed. It sounded to me like a time-waster but you never know. You have to at least ask, I mean. Vanity Fair, after all, decided to run their obit piece weeks ago so they wouldn't be bringing up the rear by waiting for Newman's curtain to literally come down.
So I called Newman's biographer Shawn Levy (who's just finished writing about Sometimes A Great Notion) and he hadn't heard squat. And then I called Ashley Varese, the smug-sounding managing editor of The Westport News. I say this because Varese chuckled when I repeated the rumor and asked if she'd heard anything. Despite Newman having reportedly ended his chemotherapy treatment and returned to his Westport home to wait for it, Varese thought it was amusing that anyone would be so daft as to suppose there might be some truthful basis to the rumble. She chuckled the way certain publicists chuckle when they try to dismiss something you're trying to learn about as being a "non-story." I took an instant dislike to her. People who chuckle derisively when you're making an honest inquiry need to slapped upside the head.
This, in any event, is my last Newman-watch posting. To be on the safe side this afternoon I'm going to record some of my favorite Newman dialogue moments (which I'll run as part of my obit), but otherwise I'm just going to bide my time and wait for it.
Posted by Jeffrey Wells on August 15, 2008 at 12:17 PM
comment #1
dixiedugan says ...
I almost hate to admit this...but yes, I've heard this too. I got online after being gone all morning and half the afternoon and found that waiting for me at one of my groups.
Even if it's not true this particular go around, this will probably happen constantly over the next few weeks.
Posted by dixiedugan at August 15, 2008 12:48 PM
comment #2
Mark says ...
tis a woman's chuckle that started the whole mess in Unforgiven. a powerful punch that be a lady's dismissal.
Posted by Mark at August 15, 2008 12:49 PM
comment #3
dp4m says ...
Thanks, Jeff. Newman's literally like the only person I can think of in Hollywood, with the possible exception of Sidney Poitier, who I would like to live forever. So as much as it will suck when he goes (and yes, sadly likely sooner than later) I'd prefer not to think about it before then. :(
My sister did the Iconoclasts episode with him and Redford and he apparently really is just as good (at everything, including being a nice guy) as everyone always says about him.
Posted by dp4m at August 15, 2008 12:52 PM
comment #4
corey3rd says ...
if Paul Newman sees Clone Wars, he'll lose his will to live.
Posted by corey3rd at August 15, 2008 12:53 PM
comment #5
Balthazar says ...
Hollywood Newsroom is a perfect example of the abominable side of Internet journalism. Assholes.
Posted by Balthazar at August 15, 2008 12:56 PM
comment #6
MilkMan says ...
I usually don't get sentimental when a famous person passes away, but I will miss Paul Newman. If it's possible to love someone that you've never met, then I love Paul Newman. I think the world is a worse place without him in it.
Bye, Paul Newman.
Posted by MilkMan at August 15, 2008 1:03 PM
comment #7
dp4m says ...
Amen, MilkMan. Amen.
Posted by dp4m at August 15, 2008 1:04 PM
comment #8
Joshua Mooney says ...
"Kid, the next time I say, 'Let's go someplace like Bolivia,' let's GO someplace like Bolivia."
---Butch Cassidy
I love the man, too. It's going to be a sad day, whatever day it is.
Posted by Joshua Mooney at August 15, 2008 1:27 PM
comment #9
The Winchester says ...
"Homer, I tell you what I told Redford: It's NOT gonna happen!"
--Paul Newman Salad Dressing bottle to Homer Simpson
Posted by The Winchester at August 15, 2008 1:40 PM
comment #10
George Prager says ...
His peanut butter cups are the best.
Posted by George Prager at August 15, 2008 1:42 PM
comment #11
scooterzz says ...
did those newsroom guys really mean to write 'ironic' or do you think they meant 'iconic'?...
Posted by scooterzz at August 15, 2008 1:49 PM
comment #12
Amazing Larry says ...
"Where the hell are the dancing cats?"
- Paul Newman on the first episode of Letterman's CBS show
One of the last of the great movie stars, and a good human being. Thanks for everything, Mr Newman.
Posted by Amazing Larry at August 15, 2008 1:51 PM
comment #13
dixiedugan says ...
I've had CNN on and there's nothing. It's a gun jump.
Posted by dixiedugan at August 15, 2008 1:54 PM
comment #14
JackTorrance says ...
Trackingbn is reporting that he has passed away.
Posted by JackTorrance at August 15, 2008 1:57 PM
comment #15
dixiedugan says ...
Shit, I just read that Jack...someplace else.
I'm not even looking at this as a fangal, though I am a Newman fangal...but if I had the Big C and there wasn't anything medically to be done, I'd like to go as quick as possible. Say good bye to my loved ones and morphine out. Lingering sucks.
Posted by dixiedugan at August 15, 2008 2:07 PM
comment #16
Stephe96 says ...
You know, I work in a newsroom and about a year or so back I happened to break the story about a somewhat prominent celebrity. It was definitely national news. Here's the thing: after a quick tip from someone on a cellphone, I was on the phone with the cops in the celebrity's very small town. The guy asked me how I knew, since he wasn't even done writing up the press release. I told him someone had just called in. He said, "Huh, there's only about 3 of us here at the station that know anything about it." Here's the point: right after hanging up with the cop I checked Wikipedia for some background info....and his death was already listed! I'm talking no more than 10 minutes after I'd found out. Anyway, so Paul Newman's entry is something you might want to check out over the next few days.
Posted by Stephe96 at August 15, 2008 2:38 PM
comment #17
Movie Watcher says ...
Newman had so many great roles. Eating all those eggs in cool hand luke, to the drunk lawyer in the verdict, to getting hustled by forest whitaker in color of money, what a great actor. The amount of money he gave to charity is astounding. Mr. Newman will be greatly missed. I don't know if he has passed at this time, but I hope he doesn't suffer.
Posted by Movie Watcher at August 15, 2008 7:22 PM
comment #18
EOTW says ...
MM: A truly heartfelt FTW.
Posted by EOTW at August 15, 2008 7:30 PM
comment #19
Chapman Carruthers says ...
This message puts you on notice that I'm stealing your line. When I get the bad news, which I eventually will, I'm walking up to the prettiest thing around and using the line that I stole way back on 08/25/08.
"A condemned man has a right to a last request doesn't he? I got my truck out back. Whaddya say we get in the back get naked and see where it goes from there?"
You're a damn fine actor Mr. Newman, and if this line works, a damn fine Amurrican as well.
Posted by Chapman Carruthers at August 15, 2008 8:21 PM
comment #20
JD says ...
This whole conversation is totally fucking perverse. As an amazing man's life wears down, all people want to do is argue (and chuckle) over who got the story first.
Posted by JD at August 16, 2008 1:55 PM
comment #21
dd
says ...
"A condemned man has a right to a last request doesn't he? I got my truck out back. Whaddya say we get in the back get naked and see where it goes from there?"
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Posted by dd
at May 11, 2010 12:22 AM
comment #22
janee
says ...
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at May 18, 2011 12:18 AM