Paul Newman on the One Actor He Could Never Surpass
Paul Newman credited much of his Hollywood success to luck, especially after James Dean's passing, and openly admired Marlon Brando as the greatest American actor of their era.
Paul Newman’s journey to the top of the film industry was marked by a blend of talent, charisma, and what he often called sheer luck. Despite his striking looks and undeniable screen presence, Newman always downplayed his achievements, attributing much of his success to fortunate timing and circumstances. He famously referred to his career trajectory as ‘Newman’s Luck,’ a phrase that captured his belief that fate played a bigger role than skill alone.
One of the most pivotal moments in his early years came after the tragic loss of James Dean. Newman and Dean were not just contemporaries but also friendly rivals, frequently auditioning for the same roles. Dean’s untimely death created opportunities that Newman himself acknowledged. He stepped into the lead for a live adaptation of Ernest Hemingway’s The Battler, a role that had originally been intended for Dean. The same twist of fate landed him the starring part in Robert Wise’s Somebody Up There Likes Me, a film that proved crucial in establishing his reputation and helping him move past the disappointment of The Silver Chalice. While Newman never claimed he wouldn’t have found success otherwise, he recognized how much Dean’s absence shaped his path.
Rising Stars and Fierce Competition
The 1950s saw a new generation of actors vying for the spotlight, and among them, Marlon Brando quickly set himself apart. Brando’s approach to acting was revolutionary, blending method techniques with a raw, magnetic energy that captivated audiences and critics alike. Both Brando and Newman were often compared, not just for their similar ages and looks, but for their shared ability to command attention on screen. Yet, Newman was always quick to point out the differences between them.
He bristled at the constant comparisons, insisting that while he brought his own style to each role, Brando possessed a unique, almost primal intensity that no one else could match. Reflecting on Brando’s performances in classics like A Streetcar Named Desire and On the Waterfront, Newman admitted he simply couldn’t compete in that arena. As he once told Oriana Fallaci,
“It ’s his ability to burn like a volcano that is about to explode. It’s being Brando and only Brando, which is to say the best actor that we have in the US, and to remain Brando.”
Different Paths, Lasting Respect
Newman saw himself as a chameleon, able to disappear into any character he played. He explained,
“I’m not always myself. If I play a cowboy, I’m a cowboy. If I play a surgeon, I’m a surgeon. And if I play a gigolo, I’m a gigolo. When people watch Brando instead, they watch Brando playing the cowboy, the surgeon, the gigolo. As for our physical resemblance: there’s nothing I can do about it. I can just let my beard grow.”
He once tried growing a beard, but his wife, Joanne Woodward, wasn’t a fan.
Despite the inevitable comparisons and the competitive nature of Hollywood, Newman never lost sight of his own strengths or his admiration for Brando’s singular talent. He understood that while he could transform himself for any role, Brando’s presence was always unmistakable, setting a standard that few could ever hope to reach.