For half a century, Paul Newman and his second wife, Joanne Woodward, stood out in Hollywood as one of the most enduring power couples. The iconic star of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof was married twice during his remarkable career as a film star, entrepreneur, and even a race car driver. Let's take a closer look at his relationships with both Joanne and his first wife, Jackie Witte.
Paul Newman's First Marriage: Jackie Witte
Paul Newman's first chapter of love began in 1949 when he married Jackie Witte after returning home from serving in the Navy during World War II. Jackie, an aspiring actress, was still in college when they tied the knot. Together, they built a family, welcoming three children: Scott Newman, Susan Kendall Newman, and Stephanie Newman. Life wasn't all glitz and glamour for the young couple. They settled down in Staten Island, New York, where Paul worked hard to establish himself in the acting world.
In 1953, Paul met Joanne Woodward while they were co-starring in the Broadway play Picnic. Around this time, Jackie stepped away from acting to focus on raising their children at home. Despite their efforts, the marriage eventually ended when Paul fell in love with his costar, Joanne Woodward. Their paths crossed again in 1957 during the filming of The Long, Hot Summer. The following year, Paul and Jackie divorced, paving the way for a new chapter in his life.
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Tragedy struck the family in 1978 when their eldest son, Scott, passed away at the age of 28 due to a drug overdose. In his posthumous memoir, Paul Newman: The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man, released in October 2022, Paul reflected on the loss of his son and the end of his first marriage. "I kept thinking he was going through a phase of adolescent bad judgment," he wrote. "I never thought it would be fatal."
Joanne Woodward: The Love of Paul Newman's Life
Joanne Woodward, the woman who captured Paul Newman's heart, was already a rising star in her own right before they married in 1958. Born in Georgia, Joanne had already made appearances in numerous television shows, including Omnibus, Four Star Playhouse, and Studio One. In 1957, she earned critical acclaim and an Academy Award for her role in The Three Faces of Eve. Over the years, she continued to shine in films like Rachel, Rachel, Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams, and Mr. & Mrs. Bridge.
Paul and Joanne's marriage brought them three beautiful children: Nell Newman, Melissa Newman, and Clea Newman. Their kids have shared candid insights into what it was like growing up with such famous parents who remained together for an incredible 50 years.
Melissa opened up to Closer in October 2022 about her parents' relationship. "There is this fairytale of my parents’ perfect marriage," she said. But she also admitted that their relationship wasn't always picture-perfect. "It wasn't all ice cream and cake," Melissa explained. "There was a vibe of tension in the house that would sort of come and go." Despite these challenges, both Paul and Joanne shared a deep desire to fight for their relationship.
Paul and Joanne remained married until his passing in September 2008 from lung cancer at the age of 83. Clea fondly remembered her parents in a February 2022 interview with Closer, saying, "They were so old-fashioned together. He always opened doors for her, and they held hands all the time. They were passionately in love. They respected each other and laughed more than any other couple I’ve known."
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