Paul Newman

By Cathy Severson

Paul Newman was an old actor when he died in 2008. He lived a big life until the end. You may not be a wealthy celebrity, but he showed us how successful aging and living seniorhood to the fullest can be for anyone.

While old enough to be the parent of the boomer generation, he was an icon we grew up with and serves as a great mentor for successful aging.

Newman was an actor who, for most the part, shunned celebrity. When he chose to use his celebrity, it was for a passion that he believed that was going to make the world a better place.

In thinking about the legacy of his life, he left modeled these attributes that we can all emulate.

Never too old – In 2003, Paul appeared on Broadway in revival of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town. He received his first Tony Award nomination for the role. He was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or TV Movie when the production aired on PBS.

Seek new challenges – Paul Newman loved automobile racing even more than acting. He started racing 1972 and continued to be involved with the sport until 2005, when he competed in the Baja 1000.

Find time to play – Newman never took himself too seriously and had a reputation of being a great practical jokester. He one once filled a director’s trailer with popcorn.

Enjoy each day – “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,” he once proclaimed.

Never stop growing – In 1982, at the age of 57, Newman founded Newman’s Own food products. The company originally began as a lark among friends. At the time of his death, the company had a line of 100 products.

Give back to your community – The proceeds from Newman’s Own went to charity. The company has given in excess of $250 million to various causes.

Don’t be afraid to take a stand – Newman wasn’t afraid to take a tough stance or raise the ire of others. He had beliefs and was willing to fight for them. His later years were focused on his charities, working for the environment and children in need.

Know when to exit – Newman officially retired from acting in 2007. He explained he didn’t believe he could perform to his personal expectation. “You start to lose your memory, you start to lose your confidence, you start to lose your invention. So I think that’s pretty much a closed book for me.” Being an old actor doesn’t mean being a doddering fool.

Very few people live life as big as Paul Newman, but each of us can look to him for inspiration on successful aging. How can his life in later years be a model to you?