Paul Newman has the incredible love story with his second wife Joanne Woodward on display in the new, six-part documentary The Last Movie Stars. The HBO film, directed by Ethan Hawke, takes a close look at the Hollywood legends’ relationship that lasted half a century. “I fell more in love with them as I did it,” Hawke told Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz, per CBS News. “And the more you care about them, the more you want to do the story justice.”
While Paul became a matinee idol with his iconic roles in Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid, The Hustler and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, it was his enduring marriage with Joanna that piqued fans’ interest as it broke the standard for Tinseltown couples. However, before he could call Joanne his wife, he needed to end his first marriage to Jackie Witte. Find out more about these amazing women who stole the late heartthrob’s heart, below.
Jackie Witte
Paul was born on January 26, 1925, in Shaker Heights, a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. After attending Ohio University for a bit, he enlisted in the Navy, where he served as a radio operator in World War II. After his duties, he returned home and married his first wife, Jackie, on December 27, 1949. The couple were both actors and worked on their craft before welcoming son Scott in 1950, daughter Susan in 1953 and another daughter named Stephanie a year later.
While struggling to find work in the beginning of his career, Paul eventually struck gold when he landed a few roles on Broadway. One of his first, gigging as an understudy on Picnic, was where he first met Joanne, also an actress. Their love affair would ultimately lead to Paul and Jackie getting a divorce in 1958.
Joanne Woodward
Born on February 27, 1930 in Georgia, Joanne would go on to study acting at Louisiana State University before moving to New York City where she would continue her education at the Actor’s Studio. She soon became a darling of the small screen, acting in such TV productions as the Goodyear Playhouse and Hitchcock Presents. Her stellar skills transferred over to film, where she astounded audiences and critics alike for portraying a woman with multiple personalities in 1957’s The Three Faces of Eve. The role would garner Joanne an Academy Award for Best Actress, which she was nominated for three more times.
After Paul’s divorce from Jackie was finalized, he and Joanne married on January 29, 1958. The couple would go on to star together in a number of films, beginning with the drama The Long Hot Summer. Others included Rally ‘Round the Flag, Boys! (1958), From the Terrace (1960), Paris Blues (1961), and A New Kind of Love (1963).
During the height of their careers, the power couple welcomed three daughters together: Elinor Teresa “Nell” (1959), Melissa Stewart (1961), and Claire Olivia “Clea” (1965). They would defy the status quo of Hollywood couples and remain married for 50 years until Paul’s death from lung cancer on September 26, 2008. Joanne currently resides in Westport, Connecticut.
Bobby focuses on creating higher margins while investing in society. He believes that our World has room for improvement, and one of his goals is to be part of the evolutionary process. What makes him successful is the collaboration with founders and partners. Bobby has a successful track record in envisioning and creating deals and opportunities from scratch in various industries.
American Idol is in the thick of season 21 auditions, and the talented singers just keep on coming. Mariah Faith is the first singer to audition during the March 19 episode. The 21-year-old hairstylist from South Carolina performs “Whenever You Come Around” by Vince Gill.
Katy Perry stops Mariah and says she is playing it safe. Katy pitches Mariah to sing “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt, and Mariah nails it. Luke Bryan tears up a bit. “I had chills the whole time,” Luke says. He admits that she’s “on the edge of greatness” and has “got it all.” Lionel Richie thinks that Mariah’s potential could take her “seriously all the way.” Katy goes so far as to say, “You are a star. You really are.”
Mariah’s going to Hollywood! But first, Luke tells her that she’s going to be the opening slot for Noah Thompson and HunterGirl’s Nashville concert.
Nailyah Serenity shines with her rendition of “My Man” by Barbra Streisand. Lionel tells the 22-year-old that he “totally thoroughly enjoyed it.” Katy raves over Nailyah’s song choice and loves that she “straddled it” with her own flair. Nailyah gets a “yes” from all three judges!
Kayleigh Clark starts out with a rendition of “The Dance” by Garth Brooks. The judges want to hear a second song from the 17-year-old, so she performs “I Surrender.” With some work, Luke believes that Kayleigh is a top 10 contender. While Lionel and Luke are all about Kayleigh, Katy gives her a “no.” Luke is still adamant that she’s top 10, but Katy quips, “If she doesn’t find that next gear she ain’t.”
PJAE didn’t have the easiest time growing up. He’s been on a weight loss journey after graduating high school at 400 pounds. He’s lost 150 pounds since then and has gained confidence through music. He wows the judges with his rendition of “Mirror” by Madison Ryann Ward.
“It was so beautiful, so effortless, so angelic, and emotional and sad and painful. I felt like you were telling that story, and it was your story,” Katy says. She thinks PJAE is top 24 material and that’s “playing it safe right now.” He’s going to Hollywood!
Warren Peay is a 23-year-old appliance repair technician from South Carolina who is ready to show off his voice to the world. He stuns the judges with his performance of “To The Table” by Zach Williams. He gets a standing ovation from the judges.
“That was badass,” Luke says. Lionel tells Warren that he’s “heading down the top 10 road.” Luke believes that Warren is going to shake this competition up. He’s going to Hollywood.
Sixteen-year-old Paige Anne performs “What About Us” by Pink for the judges. Lionel admits that Paige didn’t really show up for this performance until the second half. “I don’t know what to do with you quite yet,” Luke says. She’s young but talented. Despite some hesitation, Paige is headed to Hollywood.
Ophrah Kablan takes the judges to church with her powerful performance of “Baby I Love You” by Aretha Franklin. She gets a “yes” from all the judges following the performance.
Kamron Lawson auditioned for American Idol while working his shift at Walmart. He performs “Take On Me” by a-ha for his audition. Luke tells Kamron that he’s playing it safe. Kamron offers to perform Lionel’s song “Truly.” The 21-year-old gets nervous and chokes right at the beginning, but he eventually shows the judges his vocal range.
Lionel is impressed that Kamron performed that song given how hard it is to perform. He points out that Kamron has “moments of complete control” but wants him to work on his vocal delivery. Luke adds that Kamron has a “great falsetto” but needs him to get some confidence. He gets a “yes” from everyone!
Country singer Owen Eckhardt is currently attending Oklahoma State University studying animal science, but he’s always wanted to be a musician. He performs Zach Bryan’s “Something In The Orange.” Katy says there’s a “little Elvis Presley” in there. Luke tells Owen that the performance had “a lot of things wrong, but there’s a cool voice in there.” The judges believe in Owen’s potential, so he’s going to Hollywood.
The last performance of the episode comes from 22-year-old Fire Wilmore. She’s a stripper living in Oklahoma and brings her daughter along for the audition. Fire had a rough upbringing and ended up in Indian child welfare.
She performs “Talking to the Moon” by Bruno Mars. Luke admits that he wanted Fire’s voice “to be more.” Katy adds that “there wasn’t enough fire there.” Luke and Lionel don’t think Fire’s ready, but Katy gives her a “yes.” Katy doesn’t want to give up on Fire. She gets up and tells the singer that they’re going to be in Nashville in a month. She wants Fire to audition again. “You deserve a second chance,” Katy tells Fire.
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Priyanka Chopra and her husband Nick Jonas enjoyed a rare day off from parenting as they were spotted out on a date in New York City on Saturday, March 18. The actress rocked a gorgeous white gown and a black coat, while Nick kept it cool in a graphic tee and green fanny pack. The adorable couple made it an adult family affair by bringing along Kevin Jonas, his wife Danielle and their brother Joe Jonas.
The fun and fashionable group looked like they were taking over Manhattan as they made their way from the celeb hot spot Bar Centrale restaurant to the Marquis Theater in Times Square. Although it wasn’t clear if Joe’s wife Sophie Turner was part of the cool kid crowd, it wouldn’t be a surprise if she were, as the famous boy band and their wives love a good get-together.
The Big Apple outing allowed Priyanka and Nick a bit of a reprieve from taking care of their bundle of joy, 1-year-old daughter Malti. The adorable baby girl has been the center of her parents’ attention ever since they welcomed her in January 2022. And Priyanka finally gave fans a big peek at their obsession last month in Los Angeles as the Jonas Brothers were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Three months after bringing home Malta, the couple revealed she was born premature and had to spend more than 100 days in the neonatal intensive care unit. “On this Mother’s Day we can’t help but reflect on these last few months and the rollercoaster we’ve been on, which we now know, so many people have also experienced. After 100 plus days in the NICU, our little girl is finally home,” Priyanka captioned the first photo she shared of their little one.
While the couple had kept the pregnancy very private, it came as no surprise to longtime fans, as Priyanka was vocal about her plans for motherhood in the past. The star shared with Today hosts in October 2019 that she “couldn’t wait” to start a family. “I mean there’s so much that happens in our lives that whenever God blesses us with that it’s something that we both definitely want.”
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