Paul Newman: Hollywood legend was so insecure, says his daughter

Image source, Getty Images
By Rebecca JonesArts correspondent, BBC News
"He wanted to dispel the fairy tale," says Clea Newman Soderlund of her father Paul Newman's decision to embark on memoir writing.
It was 1986 and Newman had been one of the world's most famous movie stars for three decades, starring in films such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting and The Hustler.
He was known for his bright blue eyes, boyish charm and seemingly idyllic 50-year marriage to the very also talented actress Joanne Woodward.
But all was not as it seemed. "He wanted to dispel the perfection that things were just great," Soderlund, the youngest of the actor's five daughters, told the BBC. "Nobody's life is like that."
That's why, in his 60s, Newman decided to collaborate on a memoir with his friend, screenwriter Stewart Stern. The pair spoke for five years about Newman's childhood, career, family and fame.
"It was a pivotal time for him in his life," says Soderlund. "He was doing a lot of introspection."

Entertainment Oct 22, 2022 0 60 Add to Reading List

Paul Newman: Hollywood legend was so insecure, says his daughter

American actor Paul Newman (1925 - 2008) as Luke, forced to dig a grave-sized hole in the film

By Rebecca JonesArts correspondent, BBC News

"He wanted to dispel the fairy tale," says Clea Newman Soderlund of her father Paul Newman's decision to embark on memoir writing.

It was 1986 and Newman had been one of the world's most famous movie stars for three decades, starring in films such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting and The Hustler.

He was known for his bright blue eyes, boyish charm and seemingly idyllic 50-year marriage to the very also talented actress Joanne Woodward.

But all was not as it seemed. "He wanted to dispel the perfection that things were just great," Soderlund, the youngest of the actor's five daughters, told the BBC. "Nobody's life is like that."

That's why, in his 60s, Newman decided to collaborate on a memoir with his friend, screenwriter Stewart Stern. The pair spoke for five years about Newman's childhood, career, family and fame.

"It was a pivotal time for him in his life," says Soderlund. "He was doing a lot of introspection."