Born on January 26, 1925, in a quiet unassuming town in Shaker Heights, Ohio, Newman served as a gunner for three years in the Navy during World War II.
Returning home, a young and exceptionally handsome Newman enrolled himself in prestigious acting institutions including Yale and the Actors Studio.
He burst onto the scene with parts in shows on Broadway (beginning with The Picnic) and, with his fine talent and godlike looks, found it easy to impress movie moguls of the day.
Newman was soon offered a movie contract by Warner Brothers and The Silver Chalice hit screens. It was received coldly though and prompted an anxious Newman to go to great lengths to try and mend the damage that had been done.
He is even said to have taken out an advertisement in a trade newspaper of the time apologising to moviegoers! At any rate, his fears were unfounded and his career soared with his next few releases.
In the picture: A still from Cool Hand Luke.
Also Read: Cooking with Paul Newman
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