Newman

My mum always used to go on about how fantastic Paul Newman was, and I remember my parents talking about him with a whole lot of reverence before I'd even seen one of his films. I think the first one I did see must have been Butch Cassidy, which is now one of my very favourite movies of all time. Newman's good looks and easy charm mean that his performances were accessible and appealing to basically everyone, from all generations. From the Hustler to the Sting and from Cool Hand Luke to The Colour of Money to Road to Perdition, he had an incredibly laid-back and easy-to-like presence.
Unlike the stars of today, it turns out he really did live up to his on-screen persona too - discrete, upstanding and able to remove his ego pretty much entirely from the equation. He preferred to stay out of the limelight, and not shove down our throats the fact that he was such a charitable person either. Many people I've spoken to are genuinely surprised to hear that his range of sauces and other food products was entirely not-for profit, and has generated over $250 million for good causes since it was established.
Also, unlike many other Hollywood 'icons', Newman was an incredibly upstanding, respectable and inspiring person in his private life. He was a committed family man, and last year he and his wife Joanne Woodward celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. He only walked out on her once in their whole lives together. He came back ten minutes later because he 'had no idea where to go'. Famously totally faithful to her, he once quipped: “Why go out for hamburger when you have steak at home?”

Here's a good obituary of the great man:

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/article4837996.ece

And a couple of really fantastic film clips:

Butch Cassidy:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=SIZzubsOaWE&feature=related
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=9_089PdrEk0&feature=related
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=2y87EaadjqM

The Sting:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=FCfflhAHbT0&feature=related

The Hustler:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=PEP2lDjps0o&feature=related

Cool Hand Luke:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=kNyl6gXLMLQ
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=aO3aWRUmoSs&feature=related
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=1fuDDqU6n4o