Introduction
Famous for his part in films like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, Cool Hand Luke, The Hustler, and more, Paul Newman is fondly remembered by his fans across the globe. A lot of people want to know how tall he really was, as there was quite a lot of dispute about this during his lifetime.
Paul Newman is thought to have been around 5 foot 9 inches (1.75 meters) or 5 foot 10 inches (1.78 meters), but some sources claimed that he was 5 foot 11 inches (1.80 meters). His height was heavily disputed, with a New York Post columnist famously offering to give money to charity for every inch Paul Newman was over 5 foot 8 inches (1.73 meters).
A lot of people are fascinated by this star and want to know as much as possible about him, including his height, his weight, and his age. Let’s find out a few key facts!
How Tall Was Paul Newman?
According to a military medical examination done when Paul Newman was 20 years old, he was 5 foot 10 inches. Of course, people do vary a little in height throughout their lifetimes, and often lose some height as they age, which could explain why other sources have him listed as 5 foot 9.5 inches (1.77 meters).
However, it seems that somebody somewhere once claimed that Paul Newman was 5 foot 11 inches, and this led to an entertaining dispute between him and a New York Post columnist in 1986.
The columnist stated that there was no way Paul Newman was 5 foot 11 inches, and said that he would give $1000 to Newman’s favorite charity (or political candidate) for each inch that he was over 5 foot 8.
Paul Newman took up the challenge, and said that if he only measured 5 foot 8 inches, he’d give half a million dollars to the New York Post. However, he upped the stakes on their end, insisting that they would have to pay $100,000 for every inch. That screams quite a lot of confidence in him being over 5 foot 8 inches. The bet was never actually taken.
That leaves us somewhat in the dark about Paul Newman’s true height, but it’s pretty clear that he knew he was over 5 foot 8 inches, and it seems likely that 5 foot 9 or 5 foot 10, as shown on his military records, would have been about right.
That puts him at a little over the average height for a man in the USA, which is usually around 5 foot 8 inches (1.73 meters). It’s not clear why, if he was already above the average, there was so much dispute about his height!
How Old Was Paul Newman?
Paul Newman lived to an impressive 83 years old, and died in 2008. He was born in 1925, in Ohio in the United States. He showed an early interest in theater and acting, and undertook a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1949. He went on to become one of Hollywood’s biggest stars of his era, and appeared in many famous and successful movies.
He was nominated for multiple Oscars for his performances in several different movies, including Cool Hand Luke, The Verdict, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and Road to Perdition.
After a long and very successful career, Paul Newman stepped down as a result of his health concerns, although his spokesmen wouldn’t confirm whether or not he was suffering from lung cancer. He died at home, and had a private funeral.
Was Paul Newman Philanthropic?
Paul Newman is famous for having been keen to “give back” to the world, and he championed many worthwhile causes. He was a major donor for The Mirror Theater Ltd, and he also donated to Kenyon College.
He was a founding member of the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy, and in 2008, he was named the Most Generous Celebrity by Givingback.org.
The Newman’s Own line of foods was also one of his creations. He formed the line in 1982, and it sold a wide range of foods, including lemonade, popcorn, and more. The idea behind the line was that all the proceeds would be given to charity, demonstrating Newman’s determination to make a difference.
Another project he poured time and money into was the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, named after the gang in his film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. The camp was intended for Connecticut children with serious illnesses.
Various other causes benefited from Paul Newman’s philanthropic nature, and it’s safe to say he was a man who chose to give back as much as he had been given. He was also a supporter of gay rights, and he was present at the first Earth Day in 1970.
How Much Did Paul Newman Weigh?
There is some variation in the estimates, but Paul Newman probably weighed around 165 lb (75 kg). Assuming he was around 5 foot 9 or 5 foot 10, that’s within the recommended weight range for his height, and he certainly looked in shape.
It’s said that he was still doing push ups and other exercises into his 80s, but he wasn’t into the hype of being a big actor, and kept most of his personal life very low-key and private. His lack of affectation and his humbleness means he has enjoyed long-term adoration from his fans.
He never flaunted his celebrity status, and managed to stay honorable, down-to-earth, and kind throughout his life. He’s remembered for his skill as an actor and the many incredible movies he worked on, but he’s also remembered for being a genuinely nice person, who cared about others and gave back to the world that supported him.
Conclusion
Paul Newman was probably around 5 foot 9 or 5 foot 10, but there is some dispute, and it’s likely that his height diminished slightly after the military examination that was done in his 20s. Either way, he was a phenomenal actor with widespread recognition and acclaim, and he is very fondly remembered by fans worldwide.
