Everybody was aware of Paul Newman’s good looks. However, he did not act like one of the most handsome men out there. He knew how to be natural and modest. He was knowledgeable of the fact that a pretty face was not enough in order to shape the fascinating complexity of a human being. But he was gifted, too. He benefited from a talent few people were blessed with. His superb persona was outstanding both on the big screens and in real life. He knew what to say and what to do in the right place and at the right time. Paul Newman always made the best decisions for him and the rest. A renowned actor and philanthropist, Paul Newman died on Friday night at his farmhouse near Westport, Connecticut, after a long battle with cancer. He was 83.

Following the actor’s death, everybody rushed to video stores to rent or buy their favorite movies whose cast lists included the illustrious name of Paul Newman. He was one of the artists who helped make the transition from the 1950s cinema to that of the 1960s and 1970s. He filled the shoes of Ari Ben Canaan, Eddie Felson, Hud Bannon, Lew Harper, John Russell, Luke Jackson, Doug Roberts, Reggie Dunlop and Frank Galvin in “Exodus” (1960), “The Hustler” (1961), “Hud” (1963), “Harper” (1966), “Hombre” (1967), “Cool Hand Luke” (1967), “The Towering Inferno” (1974), “Slap Shot” (1977) and “The Verdict” (1982), respectively. He also joined forces with fellow actor Robert Redford and filmmaker George Roy Hill and gave life to “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” in 1969 and “The Sting” in 1973.

In addition to the already mentioned titles, Paul Newman worked with his wife, actress Joanne Woodward, on several memorable films, including “The Long, Hot Summer” (1958), “Rally ‘Round the Flag, Boys!” (1958), “From the Terrace” (1960), “Paris Blues” (1961) and “A New Kind of Love” (1963).

Twenty-five years after impersonating Eddie Felson in “The Hustler,” the legendary actor reprised his “Fast” role in the Martin Scorsese-directed “The Color of Money” (1986), for which he won a well-deserved Academy Award for Best Actor.

But Paul Newman did not stop here. Together with writer A.E. Hotchner, he founded in 1982 a line of food products called Newman’s Own. Although the brand initially offered salad dressing, it has expanded to pasta sauce, lemonade, popcorn, salsa, wine and other products. What makes it even more admirable is the fact that revenue was donated to charity. Starting with 2006, the franchise has resulted in more than $200 million in donations.

Distinguished figures are usually appreciated for their undeniable talent. Some of them may be far from representing role models, but their work is not at all affected by their day-to-day manners. However, when they really embody more than a bunch of skilled pretty faces, they manage to offer more than any other artist does. And Paul Newman had it all, combined with a lack of self-absorption which mesmerized. He was an exception to any selfishness-related rule.