The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man: A Memoir

The Last Movie Stars is a raw, candid, and unvarnished memoir of Paul Newman, covering his traumatic childhood, career, drinking, thoughts on Marlon Brando, James Dean, Elizabeth Taylor, greatest roles, acting, intimate life with Joanne Woodward, and innermost fears and passions. The project lasted five years, and the result is an extraordinary memoir, culled from thousands of pages of transcripts. Newman's voice is powerful, funny, and painful, and the additional voices from childhood friends and Navy buddies, family members, and film and theater collaborators add richness and color to the story. The book is insightful, revealing, and surprising, and Newman's often traumatic childhood is brilliantly detailed.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 26 October 2023
Publisher: Cornerstone

The Last Movie Stars is a captivating documentary that delves into the raw, candid, and unvarnished memoir of an iconic movie star. Spanning over 75 years of his life, this remarkable film covers a wide range of topics, including his traumatic childhood, illustrious career, struggles with alcoholism, thoughts on fellow actors Marlon Brando, James Dean, Elizabeth Taylor, his most memorable roles, acting techniques, intimate relationship with Joanne Woodward, deepest fears, passions, and joys. Throughout the documentary, Joanne Woodward, Tom Cruise, and numerous other individuals provide their insights and comments, adding depth and perspective to Newman's story.

In 1986, Paul Newman and his close friend, screenwriter Stewart Stern, embarked on an extraordinary project. Stuart's task was to compile an oral history, inviting Newman's family, friends, and colleagues to share their memories and perspectives on the actor's life. The only condition was that everyone who spoke on the record had to be completely honest, a stipulation that also applied to Newman himself. The project took five years to complete.

The result is an extraordinary memoir, culled from thousands of pages of transcripts. The book is insightful, revealing, and surprising, as Newman's voice is powerful, often funny, and occasionally painful, consistently meeting the high standard of searing honesty. The additional voices from childhood friends, Navy buddies, family members, and film and theater collaborators, such as Tom Cruise, George Roy Hill, Martin Ritt, and John Huston, enrich the story and provide valuable context.

Newman's often traumatic childhood is meticulously detailed, encompassing his teenage insecurities, early failures with women, rise to stardom, rivalries with Brando and Dean, first marriage, struggles with alcoholism, philanthropic endeavors, the loss of his son Scott, and his deep desire for his daughters to understand and appreciate his life.

The Last Movie Stars is a testament to the enduring legacy of Paul Newman, a movie star who left an indelible mark on the film industry and the hearts of millions. Through his candid and introspective memoir, he shares his journey with honesty, vulnerability, and grace, leaving a lasting impression on viewers and inspiring future generations of actors and artists.

Weight: 230g
Dimension: 128 x 197 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781804940907