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In His Own Words: Paul Newman’s Recipe for Success

Article Overview: “I have taken roads that I wished I had not traveled on,” says Newman. “And I’m traveling on some pretty exciting ones, too. Just hope when you get to that great racetrack in the sky that the balance will tip slightly into those things that you’d be proud of.” Today, Newman has much to be proud of. Not only has he left a legacy of films that have forever changed the landscape of American cinema, but he has donated over $200 million from the profits of Newman’s Own to thousands of different charities. What were the factors that led to Newman’s success both on screen and off?

In His Own Words: Paul Newman’s Recipe for Success

“I have taken roads that I wished I had not traveled on,” says Newman. “And I’m traveling on some pretty exciting ones, too. Just hope when you get to that great racetrack in the sky that the balance will tip slightly into those things that you’d be proud of.” Today, Newman has much to be proud of. Not only has he left a legacy of films that have forever changed the landscape of American cinema, but he has donated over $200 million from the profits of Newman’s Own to thousands of different charities. What were the factors that led to Newman’s success both on screen and off?

Humour: In recalling how Newman’s Own first began as a late night practical joke, Newman says, “That is how our baby got started – not in a manger, but in a tub – not a wise man in sight, a fading movie star and a cantankerous writer, but that was it.” Today, everything from the company’s slogans to its strategies incorporates Newman’s own sense of humour.

Generosity: “I just had my first two grandchildren,” says Newman. “I want them to have a future filled with opportunity and the best education possible. But not every child is as lucky.” It is to this end that Newman decided from day one to devote his company’s entire profits to charity. He raised the bar for corporate philanthropy, and set a new standard for what customers can come to expect from their companies.

Purpose: “You can’t be as old as I am without waking up with a surprised look on your face every morning: ‘Holy Christ, whaddya know – I’m still around!’” exclaims Newman. “It’s absolutely amazing that I survived all the booze and smoking and the cars and the career.” Whether it was learning to race a car for a film, being willing to speak out against the President of the United States, or refusing to back down in the way of pressure to add preservatives to his company’s products, Newman remained firm in his resolve to do things his way.

Determination: “Just because you come up against a wall doesn’t mean you quit,” says Newman. “I think, little by little, people are beginning to understand there’s a lot of pork out there, in almost every area.” One might think that having a celebrity attached to a cause makes the road to success that much smoother, but Newman experienced his fair share of setbacks. However, he got to where he is today by refusing to let the critics or the problems he encountered stand in his way.

Preparation: “I keep reiterating, it’s about being in the right place at the right time,” says Newman, “and I really do have to acknowledge that.” However much of a role luck played in Newman’s success, so too did the amount of planning he put into each of his endeavours. From rehearsing for films to taste testing his salad dressings, Newman knew that it was the process behind the product that would determine its outcome.

“I started my career giving a clinic in bad acting in the film ‘The Silver Chalice’ and now I’m playing a crusty old man who’s an animated automobile,” says Newman of his latest role in Disney’s “Cars”. “That’s a creative arc for you, isn’t it?” Despite the implication that his career is on his way down, Newman continues to proceed ahead with his various undertakings at full speed. So long as roles keep being offered to him, so long as he can still press down the gas peddle in a car, and so long as people keep buying his food products, Newman plans to continue doing what it is he is doing: “There’s still a little vinegar left in the old dog yet.”

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Article Tags: american cinema, best education, booze, charities, corporate philanthropy, generosity, grandchildren, holy christ, late night, look on your face, movie star, paul newmans, practical joke, president of the united states, profits, racetrack, resolve, sense of humour, slogans, wise man



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