Ebert Remembers Paul Newman

By Marcus Gilmer in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 27, 2008 6:40PM

Sad news today out of Connecticut where legendary actor Paul Newman passed away at 83 due to lung cancer. We've always loved Newman (Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid and Cool Hand Luke being favorites) and thought he only got better with age (Road to Perdition). Sun-Times film critic (and local cultural hero) Roger Ebert remembered Newman's work and life in his column today.

I met him several times, most memorably in 1968, on the set of "Butch Cassidy." Yes, his eyes were blue. Very blue. He was genial, relaxed; it felt more like hanging out than doing an interview. Between scenes, he held court in his trailer, sometimes sipping a beer. He was not closed-off and self-protective like many superstars, not seeming overly impressed with himself. One reason he and Woodward lived in Connecticut, he often said, was to have a more normal life than was possible in Hollywood. It was that sense of accessibility that audiences responded to.

Amen, Roger. There are so many great scenes to choose from, but we'll always love this one from Cool Hand Luke. No man can eat 50 eggs.