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Many a scenario and numerous fiction tales have been written about the dreams young actors have of seeing their names in lights. Only occasionally does this dream come true in real life as it has for Paul Newman, who in the space of two years has achieved Broadway stardom by a sensational versatility. In his first and only previous appearance on Broadway, "Picnic," he portrayed a simple, straightforward, honest lad who not only observed the law, but studied it. When he was called to audition for "The Desperate Hours," the producers expected to hear him read the role of the romantic young fiance. But Newman had read the book and pleaded for a chance to play the role of the tough criminal gang-leader, assuring them that his barber would give him the proper close crew cut to change his normal gentlemanly visage. His original contract called for him to be featured but the praise he won from the critics and the applause he gets at each performance prompted producers Erskine and Hayes to reward him after one month by co-starring him with Karl Malden and Nancy Coleman. His wife, actress Jackie Witte, who displays the pride in Paul's achievements which he modestly refuses to discuss, is keeping a record which she hopes to pass on to their children, Scott, aged four, and two year old Susan. A third child, Stephanie, was born two weeks after the play opened on Broadway. The record includes a citation as Theatre World's Most Promising New Personality, as well as a starring role opposite Virginia Mayo and Pier Angeli in his first film, "The Silver Chalice." Newman hails from Cleveland and graduated from Kenyon College where he was a drama major. His first professional acting was done in summer stock at Williams Bay, Wisconsin. During World War II, he was a V-12er at Yale where, after his discharge, he enrolled voluntarily to do graduate work in the School of Drama. After one semester he came to New York and was lucky in finding numerous TV engagements which have brought him a host of fans. |
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