Is The Late Actor Paul Newman’s Wife, Joanne Woodward, Still Alive?

Paul Newman was one of the biggest stars of the 1900s. Acquiring numerous awards for his appearances in iconic movies, the Cool Hand Luke actor passed away in 2008. However, Paul Newman’s wife, Joanne Woodward, was also a respected and known actor when she was active. Years have passed since Woodward appeared in public, making many wonder if the former actress is still alive.

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Joanne Woodward’s Early Life

Joanne Gignilliat Trimmier Woodward was born on February 27, 1930. Born to Elinor and Wade Woodward in Thomasville, Georgia, Joanne was exposed to films from a young age thanks to her mother’s love for the art. As a matter of fact, Joanne was named after Joan Crawford, an American actress and dancer in the 1900s.

 

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The Woodward family eventually moved to Blakely and Thomaston before her family relocated to Marietta, Georgia. Here, Joanne attended Marietta High School, a place the actress remained a supporter of in her later life too. The family moved once again to Greenville. The former actress attended and graduated from Greenville High School shortly after her parents divorced, even performing at the school’s theater.

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Joanne attended Louisiana State University where she majored in drama. After that, she headed to New York City where she performed on the stage while studying at the Actors Studio and under Sanford Meisner in the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre simultaneously.

The Fast Rise Of A Talented Star

Woodward made her first television appearance on an episode of Robert Montgomery Presents. After that, she appeared in a series of TV drama shows, including You Are There, The Web, and Ponds Theater, before landing her first feature film in 1955. Her performance in the film was so good that 20th Century Fox gave her a long-term contract, ensuring she got multiple movies to work on.

 

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Work on movies the future Paul Newman’s wife did. From the 1957 No Down Payment to 1963’s The Stripper, she appeared in multiple films. Her performances won her multiple awards, including an Academy Award for Best Actress, an award she received in a dress she sewed herself.

Naturally, movies weren’t the only type of media she appeared in. Joanne won an Emmy Ward for her part in 1978’s See How She Runs and 1985’s Do You Remember Me. She went on to get yet another Emmy for Broadway’s Dreamers: The Legacy of the Group Theater in 1990. As is apparent, Joanne’s career was full of ups, which is why she’s so known in the film industry.

Becoming Paul Newman’s Wife

Woodward initially met her future husband, Paul Newman, between 1953 and 1954 during the run of the William Inge drama Picnic. However, the actor was married to his first wife Jacqueline Witte. Little did the two know that they’d end up marrying on January 29, 1958, after Paul’s divorce from his first wife Jacqueline Witte was finalized.

 

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The couple appeared in multiple films together during the 1950s and 1960s. Additionally, they also returned to Broadway for a short duration and won multiple Golden Globe Awards and Oscar nominations. The last time the couple appeared on the big screen was in 2005 for Empire Falls.

Unfortunately, tragedy struck when Paul passed away on September 26, 2008, from lung cancer. Woodward and Newman were the subject of a six-part documentary by Ethan Hawke, The Last Movie Stars, in 2022.

Joanne Woodward’s Fight With Alzheimer’s

Woodward has three daughters with Newman. The daughters are Elinor Teresa, Melissa Stewart, and Claire Olivia. Widowed since 2008, Woodward lived for many years in Westport, Connecticut, where she and Newman raised their daughters.

 

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While it’s unknown what the former actress is doing now, it’s known that she’s alive. Following a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease in 2007, the actress retreated from the public eye. She also moved to Santa Monica, California, to be near her three daughters and other family members.

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