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Paul Newman, the celebrated Oscar-winning actor, captivated audiences throughout his illustrious career with a diverse range of film roles. Though he received one Academy Award for his compelling performance in The Color of Money, Newman headlined numerous acclaimed motion pictures, including classics such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Cool Hand Luke, and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Recently, renewed interest in the Hollywood legend has emerged with the release of a new book by his daughter, offering an intimate look into his life and family.
The Newman Family Legacy: Meet Paul Newman’s Children
Throughout his life, Paul Newman was married twice, first to Jackie Witte, and subsequently to Joanne Woodward. He fathered six children, with three offspring from each marriage. Newman passed away in 2008 following a battle with lung cancer.
Melissa Newman, daughter of Paul and Joanne, recently authored Head Over Heels: Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman: A Love Affair in Words and Pictures, a book chronicling her parents’ enduring love story. Released on Tuesday, October 10, the publication provides a deeper understanding of the iconic actor’s personal life. Learn more about Paul Newman’s children and their lives below.
Scott Newman
Born on September 23, 1950, the late Scott Newman was Paul Newman’s only son from his first marriage to Jackie Witte. His parents divorced by 1958, and his father subsequently married Joanne Woodward.
During the 1960s, Scott Newman left college and sought a career in the entertainment world. He pursued acting, according to reports. He reportedly explored stunt work, adopted the name William Scott, and attempted a singing career. His most notable acting credit was as Duke in the 1975 film The Great Waldo Pepper, and he also held roles in The Towering Inferno, Breakheart Pass, and Fraternity Row.
Scott Newman tragically died at the age of 28 in 1978 from an overdose. He had been using painkillers following a motorcycle accident, and the combination of medication and alcohol, given his inclination to drink, contributed to his untimely death. In a 2010 article for The Sunday Times, writer AE Hotchner recounted a conversation with Paul Newman. “Hotch, you’re as good a friend as I’ve got,” the renowned actor reportedly said. “I had to express this, or I would have exploded. Nothing can alleviate my guilt regarding Scott. It will remain with me for the rest of my days.”
Following his son’s passing, Paul Newman established the Scott Newman Center. The organization is dedicated to assisting healthcare professionals and educators in informing young people about the dangers of drug and alcohol misuse.
Stephanie Newman
Stephanie Newman, born in 1951, reportedly “leads a private life away from the family business,” as stated in a 2015 Vanity Fair article. Although Stephanie made a few appearances with her father as a child, she has largely remained outside of public attention. Limited information is publicly available about her, seemingly by her own preference.
Susan Kendall Newman
As of 2015, Susan Kendall Newman is described as a “former actress and award-winning television producer who provides media and production services for nonprofit organizations,” according to Vanity Fair. Born in February 1953, Susan had uncredited roles in her father’s movie, Slap Shot, as well as appearances in I Wanna Hold Your Hand (a 1978 film centered on teenagers eager to see The Beatles) and A Wedding.
After leaving acting, she became “Executive Director of multiple nonprofit organizations focused on alcohol and drug abuse prevention, and subsequently, child welfare,” according to her IMDB profile. “She has lectured extensively worldwide, promoting awareness about issues impacting families and children’s well-being. She continues to support nonprofit organizations by refining their mission, enhancing funding and visibility, and offering film and video production services.”
In 2015, Susan Newman publicly criticized Bob Forrester, then head of the Newman’s Own Foundation. “Some family members might be upset with me for speaking out,” she stated to Vanity Fair. “However, I feel the Newman family has essentially been held captive by Bob Forrester. I believe Mr. Forrester has lost sight of the privilege and significant responsibility he holds in overseeing my father’s legacy and fulfilling his wishes. He appears to be more focused on self-promotion and extravagant displays. My father would have never endorsed many of his actions.”
Forrester, in response to Vanity Fair, asserted that this portrayal of him was “completely false.”
Nell Newman / Nell Potts
Elinor Teresa Newman, known as Nell, was born on April 8, 1959, the first child of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. She began her career as a child actor in the 1960s and 1970s under the stage name Nell Potts. She played the younger version of the title character in Rachel, Rachel. She also appeared in The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds, a film depicting “a middle-aged woman struggling to raise her daughters, one socially popular and the other a promising science student.”
Nell co-established and managed Newman’s Own Organics—an offshoot of Newman’s Own—until 2014. In 1993, while serving as Director of the Ventana Wilderness Sanctuary in central California, Nell conceived the idea to develop an entirely organic division within her father’s Newman’s Own company.
Following her father’s death, Nell experienced disagreements with Newman’s Own. Newman’s Organics faced obstacles in launching new items due to concerns that Newman’s Own Inc. might introduce a competing product. In 2014, Nell’s licensing agreement for the use of her father’s name and image concluded, preventing her continued involvement with the company. To protect the livelihoods of Newman’s Organics’ 30 employees, she transferred ownership of the company to Newman’s Own, Inc., according to Vanity Fair.
Nell established the Nell Newman Foundation in 2010, “dedicated to continuing her father’s tradition of philanthropy, combined with her own environmental advocacy.” She has been married to Gary Irving since 2005.
Melissa Newman
Melissa Newman, the second daughter of Paul and Joanne, was born on September 27, 1961. Similar to her siblings, she briefly ventured into acting, appearing in episodes of television programs Hawkins and The New Perry Mason, and in films such as See How She Runs, Mr. & Mrs. Bridge, and Sometimes A Great Notion.
Melissa married Raphael P. Elkind in November 1995. They have two sons, Peter and Henry. She is also reported to volunteer at a women’s correctional facility in Connecticut.
In 2023, she authored Head Over Heels, a book about her parents’ love story. The publication features rarely-seen photographs, letters, and personal writings documenting her parents’ relationship. “These striking images—many seldom seen and some previously unpublished—are paired with snapshots, letters, handwritten notes, and cherished family items,” reads the book’s description.
Claire Newman
Paul Newman’s youngest child is Claire “Clea” Soderlund. Born in April 1965, Clea has worked in the entertainment industry, but primarily behind the camera. She served as a production consultant for Big Little Lies, as cited by her IMDB profile. She also worked in post-production for The Big C, Mad Men, and Raising The Bar. She was a co-producer for the 2020 series Penny Dreadful: City of Angels and an associate producer for Big Little Lies, Sharp Objects, and The Big C.
The date of Clea’s marriage to Kurt Soderlund is not publicly known. Like other members of her family, Clea “has been actively involved in philanthropic endeavors in Westport and beyond,” according to Vanity Fair.
“From a very young age, our parents instilled in us that being a responsible citizen within your community and giving back should be a priority if you were fortunate, as we were,” she conveyed in a statement to Vanity Fair. “I am immensely proud to be a part of his enduring legacy. It is a distinct gift and an honor.”