Hollywood Flashback: When Paul Newman Made Doing Good Delicious

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1982 was an unforgettable year for Paul Newman, as it marked both the premiere of his legal drama, “The Verdict,” which garnered one of his eight career Oscar nominations for best actor, and the establishment of his food company, Newman’s Own. This esteemed actor, who received his solitary competitive Oscar win for 1987’s “The Color of Money,” along with A.E. Hotchner, a neighbor and friend, co-founded this brand recognized for donating all post-tax profits from products like salad dressing, popcorn, pasta sauce, salsa, frozen pizza, and wine to the Newman’s Own Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports causes such as food insecurity and youth initiatives. Since its inception, the company has contributed over $600 million to charitable endeavors.

Six years following the establishment of Newman’s Own, the renowned figure initiated the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, inspired by his iconic 1969 film “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.” This camp was designed to cater to children battling serious illnesses. Over time, this organization has expanded its reach and is now recognized as SeriousFun Children’s Network, providing recreational camps in various parts of the world.

As a gamer, I’d rephrase that as follows:

“At the age of 57, Paul established Newman’s Own, but long before that, he was already a passionate advocate and generous contributor. Alex Amouyel, president and CEO of Newman’s Own Foundation, shares this with THR. She highlights that prior to launching the company, Paul had participated in Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1963 March on Washington, championed gender pay equality on his projects, and was appointed a U.N. delegate on disarmament: “From the start to finish, he remained committed to giving back.

Newman’s Own products display an image of their founder, but initially, he wasn’t keen on this idea. He once commented, “That’s crazy! Put my face on a salad dressing bottle?” Newman eventually recognized the irony and absurdity of self-exploitation. He reasoned, “Why not take it to the extreme, even the ridiculous extreme, in using myself as a marketing tool? And since we’re at it, let’s give the profits back to the community.

Newman’s philanthropic work, rather than his film career, seems to be what will keep him remembered in the long run, according to an executive. “Younger generations value his dedication to philanthropy and ethical business practices,” the exec explains. “These ideals resonate with millennials and Gen Z, especially when it comes to choosing companies that aim to do good. In this context, Newman’s Own brand feels as relevant today as it ever was.

You can find this article in a special issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To stay updated with future issues, consider subscribing by clicking here.

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2025-07-24 20:24