Absent from major films since 2000’s Where The Money Is, the legendary Paul Newman has returned to the big screen, generating Oscar buzz for his role alongside Tom Hanks in the number one US film, Road To Perdition. And now, aged 77, the classic star admits he feels “entitled” to retire. Somehow, however, he just hasn’t found the time to do it.
“A man my age should be resting, he should be lying down,” he tells news network CNN. “He should be supine most of the day. But it just hasn’t happened that way.”
Instead, Paul’s as active as ever, still racing cars and running Newman’s Own – a charity food brand with products ranging from spaghetti sauce to salad dressing – and of course, making films. But it’s not like the superstar hasn’t tried to slow down a bit.
“I’ve been trying to quit almost everything I do for the last ten years, and I’ve managed to quit absolutely nothing,” he admits. “I was going to give up my race team, I was going to quit racing. I was going to quit films. I was going to turn the salad dressing business over to somebody else. And get out of politics. And unfortunately, now I’m busier than before.”
And Paul might just be busy picking up awards for Road to Perdition as his role as a mob boss dad has sparked talk of a ninth Oscar shortlist for the eight-time nominee. The new film has also gained him acclaim from co-star Tom Hanks, who admits he was star struck to share the screen with the Hollywood legend.
“Paul would slug me if I was to call him an icon that I was intimidated by,” says Tom. “He wouldn’t want to hear anything about it. But the fact is, come on, he’s Paul Newman.”
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
