First performance was at age 7 in a school production of Robin Hood
Served in the Navy during World War II as a radio operator
Wanted to be a pilot, but could not because he was color-blind
Made his Broadway debut in 1953 in Picnic
Was so embarrassed by his big-screen debut in 1954's The Silver Chalice that he took out an ad in Variety to apologize for his participation in the film
Founded the Scott Newman Center for Drug Abuse Prevention in 1980 in honor of his son, Scott, who died of an accidental drug overdose in 1978
Received an honorary Oscar in 1985 and a Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 1993
Was nominated six times for the Best Actor Oscar before winning for The Color of Money
Donated $120 million---the entire value of his food company, Newman's Own---to charity shortly before his death in 2008
Awards
2006Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television:winner
2005Emmy-Outstanding Miniseries:nominated
2005Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries:winner
2003Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie:nominated