A Tribute To Paul Newman & "Fast Eddie Felsen"

One of the greatest movie stars ever to grace the screen, Paul Newman passed away at his home on 27th September 2008 aged 83. He will be sorely missed by movie fans the world over.

Paul Newman will always have a place in the hearts of pool fans too - his portrayal of "Fast Eddie Felsen" in not just one but two fantastic movies ("The Hustler" and "The Color of Money") is unquestionably the best and most powerful of its kind ever carried off by an actor. The highs and lows of the life of a hustling pool player will never be better portrayed. There's no doubt too that Paul Newman had to have a soft spot for pool himself in order to play the part.

Most pool fans know "The Hustler" particularly well because no less than the legendary Willie Mosconi acted as Newman's advisor on the set in order to get him into the part. Willie also had a small cameo in the movie - again most pool players and pool fans already know that. It's one of the things you await eagerly as the movie progresses.

His company Newmans Own is perhaps the best 'yardstick' by which to judge Paul Newman - for he was not just a man, not just a movie star but an incredibly compassionate human being who wanted to help those less fortunate than himself. Through that company he managed to generate no less than $250 million in proceeds that have since gone to benefit thousands of charities all over the world. Watch this wonderful, heart-warming video in memory of Paul Newman's charitable work.

On flickr.com there is a special "RIP Paul Newman" gallery - view the photos here

Watch Willie Mosconi on youtube performing trick shots in 1987