Paul Newman was already married when he met Joanne Woodward in 1953. The couple fell in love while acting together in the Broadway production of "Picnic"
Five years later, shortly after his divorce, Newman and Woodward married, and made the decision to put marriage before fame. They moved into an 18th Century Connecticut farmhouse, far away from the Hollywood scene.
Newman and Woodward continued to build stellar careers, but devoted time to their humanitarian aid, their community, their family, and mostly to each other.
When Joanne Woodward returned to school and earned her degree, graduating from Sarah Lawrence College, she walked along side her youngest daughter,Clea. She was also very well acquainted with the famous commencement speaker, Paul Newman.
Known for his quips about marriage and fidelity,
"Why go out for a hamburger when you have steak at home?"
and
"Joanne is one of the last great broads."
his revelation of a dream he had just before delivering the commencement address really says it all.
He dreamed that a woman had asked,
"How dare you accept this invitation to give the commencement address when you are merely hanging on to the coattails of the accomplishments of your wife.?"
Newman and Woodward celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary the January before Paul Newman died.
The public knows much of the sadness the family experienced, and some of the joy and celebration. It's what marriage is all about: for better or worse, in sickness and in health, till death do us part.
Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman,fifty years of a full life together...not too bad for the second time around.
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/joanne-woodward-paul-newman-50-years-article-1.325359
