The late Paul Newman’s humanitarian work lives on – and his first posthumous fundraiser, for a children’s camp, was well attended by his fellow actors. A benefit for The Painted Turtle, a camp for children with life threatening illnesses, was planned before Newman passed away from complications due to lung cancer on Sept. 26. Celebs such as Sean Penn, Tom Hanks and Danny Glover attended the benefit, which turned into an impromptu tribute for Newman.
A Hollywood who’s-who turned out for an annual fundraiser for Paul Newman’s children’s camp that doubled as a tribute to the late actor.
The lineup for a dramatic reading of “The World of Nick Adams” on Monday night at San Francisco’s Davies Symphony Hall already was set when the acting legend died of cancer Sept. 26 at the age of 83. The event benefited The Painted Turtle, a camp for children with life-threatening illnesses, that was started by Newman in 1999.
“We expected Paul to be with us and so this kind of turned into kind of a tribute,” said Danny Glover, who joined Jack Nicholson, Julia Roberts, Tom Hanks, Warren Beatty, Sean Penn and other big names in the reading. “This is the first time we are doing this without Paul _ there is a void there, without a doubt.”
Some 2,500 people attended the star-studded benefit, which began with a video in which Newman discussed his work with the Association of Hole in The Wall Camps, which runs 11 camps around the world including The Painted Turtle.
“What I was trying to do was acknowledge luck,” Newman said in the video narrated by Nicholson. “If you acknowledge it, you have to do something about it _ something for the less fortunate.”
It was estimated that the Newman’s Own brand of foods raised more than $250 million for charitable causes over the years. It looks like that mission will continue. The Painted Turtle was founded in 1999 by Newman himself and gives children with terminal or life threatening conditions a chance to experience an authentic summer camp, by supporting their medical needs and also offering parents respite.
Picture note by JayBird: Here’s Paul Newman at the American Ireland Fund’s Annual Gala in New York City on March 5th, 2007. Photographer: Antonio Salvador. Images thanks to WENN.
I couldn’t leave this thread without a comment because I can’t bear to see this man’s legacy and humanitarian efforts ignored. He IS sincerely my lifelong hero – his presence and generosity have been felt by innumerable people and his passing still leaves a sadness.
Congrats to his friends for supporting the fundraiser as well.
I have nothing but good to say about this man. He is a hero to all of us alive.
Well said, RAN. It’s kind of sad how we move on so quickly but Paul and his legacy are a whole lot bigger than a poorly commented-upon event on a gossip site, so take heart from that. Those that have benefited from it and those that are yet to benefit will keep him very much alive and loved and ever-present.
One of my older brothers’ girlfriend once rode a Ski Lift with Mr. Newman at Sun Valley, ID. He was such a unasuming man, with beautiful blue eyes,according to her. I beleieve it. My heart goes out to you Joanne, and for everything that Paul did in his life. It was well lived.