Joanne Woodward Noticed Paul Newman at First Sight Yet He Was Poor & Shy — He Kept Her Laughing His Whole Life

• Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward have a fascinating love story.

• The art of laughing preserved their marriage.

• Woodward lived near their daughters after sharing her final years with Newman.

Celebrity couple Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward's relationship was a beautiful blend of joy, laughter, and happiness, but it also had its moments of sorrow. Sadly, death and illness eventually separated them.

Newman and Woodward were the epitome of Hollywood glamour, with their dazzling performances and radiant chemistry on and off the screen. Their love story was the stuff of legends, captivating audiences and inspiring countless romantics.

Both struggling actors, Woodward and Newman first met on Broadway in the 1950s on a sweltering day at the air-conditioned office of Woodward's agent. She was 22 years old and he was 28.

Woodward, an understudy in a play, sought refuge in the cool office after braving the heat and a long walk outside in her high heels and gloves.

Woodward was talking to a friend who worked as an office receptionist when she noticed Newman at first sight; he was poor and shy. However, she thought he looked like someone who came from an ice cream soda commercial.

Although love did not instantly bloom for Woodward when she saw Newman then, that moment was etched in her memory, as she recounted in a 2002 interview with "Today" alongside Newman.

The renowned actress recalled Newman wearing a pristine seersucker suit and a shirt, seemingly unfazed by the heat, and noted his striking big blue eyes and "lots of curly hair." Unimpressed by his choice of wardrobe, she remarked:

"And I thought, 'ugh! That's disgusting!'"

In Newman's defense, on the day he met Woodward, the seersucker suit he washed and ironed every night was the only piece of formal clothing he had for him to look decent and presentable to the public.

Despite the questionable suit Newman donned on that sweltering day, he was captivated by Woodward's alluring charm and pretty face. Describing the moment he met Woodward, he said:

"She was modern and independent, whereas I was shy and a bit conservative."

Though there was definitely an attraction there, the timing of their meeting was not ideal, as Newman was still married to his first wife, Jackie Witte, and they had three children together. Woodward was not interested in causing any disturbance to their family.

Regardless, Newman and Woodward remained friends and continued to communicate with each other. And then they reunited on-screen in the 1957 film, "The Long, Hot Summer."

While Woodward was excited to work alongside Newman, Newman's wife, Witte, expressed doubts about their on-screen relationship. Both on and off-screen, the chemistry between Woodward and Newman was evident.

The co-stars spent weeks traveling together while filming and got along so well. For Witte, it felt as if Newman and Woodward were living together as they spent so much time in each other's company.

Despite understanding the nature of her husband's work, Witte became upset about his on-screen romance with Woodward, seemingly fearing that he might fall in love with his co-star.

While Newman reminded his wife that working with Woodward was just part of a contract, at the back of his mind, he already had mixed feelings about his time with his on-screen love interest.

Ultimately, Witte moved back to her parents' home in Wisconsin, along with her three children with Newman. She spent her time there nursing her broken heart, believing her marriage was over.

Witte and Newman finally divorced in 1958, after which Newman quickly married Woodward in Las Vegas that same year. The newlyweds traveled to London for their honeymoon following their nuptials.

Celebrity Parenting Challenges

The strong bond between Woodward and Newman lasted an impressive 50 years, making them one of Hollywood's long-lasting celebrity couples.

As Newman and Woodward's marriage flourished, so did their acting career. Woodward won the Oscars for Best Actress for the 1957 film "Three Faces of Eve," while her husband earned his first Academy Award nomination for the 1959 flick "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof."

As his acting career took off, Newman was branded a "sex symbol" in the entertainment business. He eventually credited the label to his wife and revealed, "Joanne gave birth to a sexual creature."

Newman referred to his second wife as "one of the last great broads," and Woodward described him as "the most considerate, romantic man." Together, they were a perfect match.

The couple became parents to three daughters: Nell, Claire "Clea" Olivia, and Melissa, also known as "Lissy." Two of their children shared their views on their parents' marriage.

According to Claire, the couple had a rare and unusual connection, the kind of relationship that she had hoped for herself.

Claire admitted that she got married later in life because it was difficult for her to find the same kind of partner as her father was to her mother.

Claire also said her mom and dad respected each other and laughed more than any couple she knew. Meanwhile, Melissa also made a similar observation about their parents' relationship, saying:

"They were inexorably tied to each other by every molecule of their being. The good, the bad, and the ugly. They were stuck together."

As for Woodward, regardless of her husband's sex appeal, there is only one thing that keeps her attracted to him. She admitted:

"He's very good looking and very sexy, and all of those things, but all that goes out the window and what is finally left is, if you can make somebody laugh. And he sure does keep me laughing."

Meanwhile, Newman revealed he had discovered "true love" in Woodward, who is also recognized for her commitment as a wife and a mother.

Woodward left her acting career to focus on her and Newman's marriage and their family, despite his struggles with heavy drinking. Newman later made amends with her after realizing the sacrifices she made for their relationship.

A close friend of the couple revealed Newman supported Woodward's career by directing several of her movies. She showered her husband with lavish gifts for his efforts, and the most extraordinary gift she gave him was a Rolex watch.

The luxury watch came with an engraved phrase at the back that read, "Drive Slowly, Joanne," which suggested Newman's love for car racing. Claire believed it showed her mom's tolerance for Newman's passion for racing.

Even though many people regarded Woodward and Newman's marriage as a match made in heaven, it was not always smooth sailing. Newman admitted to feeling "guilty as hell" for leaving his first marriage and said he would carry this feeling for the rest of his life.

Additionally, the issues of unsuccessful parenting, substance and alcohol abuse, and resentment marred the couple's relationship with their children.

During Newman's first marriage to Witte, they had three children: daughters Stephanie and Susan and a son named Scott. The divorce between their father and their mother deeply impacted all of them.

The eldest of the siblings and an aspiring actor, Scott, resented his father for leaving their mom for Woodward, who had a complicated relationship with her stepchildren.

She had a strained relationship with Scott, who disliked her and had not spoken to her in years. Woodward claimed that Scott was not doing well on his own and accused him of only using his father's name.

Scott and his sisters also experienced the downsides of having a celebrity parent, with fans shoving them away whenever they were out in public with Newman, just to get closer to him.

Being pushed away and ignored made the siblings uncomfortable, especially since even their closest friends had an intense infatuation with their famous father.

The lack of a father figure in the family also affected one of Scott's sisters, Susan, who embarked on a relationship with a much older man when she was a teenager. She also became ill after losing forty pounds dieting.

Scott and his siblings had a hard time concentrating on their education too. Because Newman and his ex-wife lived far from each other, their children attended multiple schools throughout their childhood.

Newman was aware of his shortcomings as a father, admitting he struggled as a parent and acknowledging he "didn't have any talent" for it. He attributed his failure to connect with his kids to his lack of connection with his own father.

Scott, who looked strikingly similar to Newman, also struggled with his identity as he constantly faced comparisons to his father. It made him turn to substance abuse and alcohol as a coping mechanisms.

Unfortunately, Scott died in 1978 due to a drug and alcohol overdose. According to Scott's friends, he had always felt the pressure and need to live up to and compete with his father's public image.

Another friend stated that Scott's death was not due to being a celebrity kid but rather a result of alcoholism, a "terrible disease" that doesn't know any relationship with a parent.

Scott's passing shocked Newman and the family kept quiet after. Newman avoided talking about his son, but those close to him could see that he was deeply affected by the loss.

It took Newman a few years to finally open up about Scott's death. He admitted that he had failed to find a solution and should have never given up on his son, blaming drugs for the toll it took on his family. He shared a piece of advice for parents like him:

"The biggest problem is when the subject is swept under the carpet. You have to keep the lines of communication open."

Despite losing his son from substance abuse, Newman moved on and continued with his life alongside his remaining family and Woodward. His wife stood by him during the harrowing experience.

They established the Scott Newman Chair in Pharmacy at the University of Southern California and set up the Scott Newman Centre For Drug Abuse Prevention.

Newman, Woodward, and Scott's mother, Witte, have contributed to the program's achievements. Woodward said they want to make Scott's life meaningful.

Timeless Love and Generosity

In their old age, the couple still showed how in love they were. As Newman and Woodward approached their 80s, their love for each other only grew. Actor Ansel Elgort shared a heartwarming story about one of his former drivers, who had the privilege of chauffeuring the iconic couple.

The driver couldn't help but marvel at the sight of Newman and Woodward, still affectionate and giggling with each other even in their later years. He remembered them being in the back seat, behaving like two love-struck teenagers. Elgort quoted the driver as saying:

"They were just PDA, and they were giggling and his arm was around her and he's kissing her."

The driver couldn't help but wish for a love like theirs, one that lasts a lifetime and gets deeper with each passing year. The couple's long-lasting marriage was a true testament to their devotion to each other and an inspiration to many.

Newman and Woodward were not just acclaimed actors but also active participants in politics and charity work. One of their most outstanding philanthropic achievements was the creation of Newman's Own, the famous salad dressing brand that donates its profits to charity.

Sadly, Newman passed away in 2008 at 83 after a long battle with cancer. If he was alive, he and Woodward would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this year.

The loss of her husband of 50 years was devastating for Woodward, and it also took a toll on her health. She began showing signs of distress, eventually requiring round-the-clock care.

She now barely speaks anymore and hardly ever recognizes her own daughters or grandchildren. Despite the heartbreak of seeing their mother in this state, Woodward's daughters, Nell, Melissa, and Claire, show unwavering support for her.

Melissa even moved into her parents' former Connecticut home, next door to Woodward, to keep a closer eye on their mother's condition alongside their healthcare staff.

Woodward and Newman's phenomenal love story will forever be etched in the memories of those who witnessed it. Theirs was a fervent love and affection that stood the test of time.