A true Hollywood power couple, Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward’s romance lasted over 50 years. See photos of the lovebirds through the years, here.
An original Hollywood power couple. Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward first met in 1953 but their five-decade-long romance didn’t start until years later when they worked on the 1957 film, The Long, Hot Summer together. The on-screen chemistry proved real and Paul quickly divorced his wife Jackie Witte to wed Joanne.
Over the years the couple would continue to be creative partners, acting opposite one another in From the Terrace and A New Kind of Love, while Joanne also led Paul’s first directorial effort Rachel, Rachel. The pair were also active philanthropists and vocal supporters of Democratic causes. The couple, who share three daughters, were married from 1958 until Paul’s death at age 83 in 2008.
“People stay married because they want to, not because the doors are locked,” Paul once said in an interview.
Want to see more photos of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward over the years? Scroll through the gallery.
1 of 15
Joanne Woodward & Paul Newman in ‘The Long, Hot Summer’
Hollywood Photo Archive/Mediapun
Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman look very close in a photo shoot for their first on-screen collaboration, 1958’s The Long, Hot Summer. They had previously met in 1953 during one of renowned theater coach Lee Strasberg’s acting workshops.
January 13, 2022, 10:26AM 2 of 15
Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward in Black & White
Shutterstock
Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward gaze off into the distance in a film still. They looked timeless in the black-and-white shot. The couple’s romance is set to be explored in the docuseries The Last Movie Stars.
January 13, 2022, 10:26AM 3 of 15
Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward in the 1960s
Shutterstock
Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward smiled for the cameras as Paul had his arm around Joanne in the 1960s.
September 1, 2023, 12:08PM 4 of 15
Paul Newman Smiles Besides Joanne Woodward After a Race
Bob Child/AP/Shutterstock
Paul Newman smiles while with his wife Joanne Woodward at the Lime Rock Park race track in Lime Rock, Connecticut in Sep. 1993. Paul was an avid racecar driver when he wasn’t acting. He once said that racing was “the first thing that I ever found I had any grace in.”
January 13, 2022, 10:26AM 5 of 15
Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward in 1969
Brian McCreeth/Shutterstock
Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward look very groovy in a photo from 1969.
Joanne once said of her love, “Sexiness wears thin after a while and beauty fades, but to be married to a man who makes you laugh every day, ah, now that is a treat.”
January 13, 2022, 10:26AM
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Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward in ‘Winning’
Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock
Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman lounged on the beach in 1969’s Winning. The racecar drama also featured actor Robert Wagner.
January 13, 2022, 10:26AM 7 of 15
Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward at Cannes
Gilbert Tourte/AP/Shutterstock
Paul Newman and his wife Joanne Woodward appear at Cannes Film Festival. They were there to present their 1987 film adaptation of Tennessee Williams’ play The Glass Menagerie.
Reflecting on their marriage after Paul’s death, Joanne said, “We really liked each other. We could talk to each other, we could tell each other anything without fear of ridicule or rejection. There was trust.”
January 13, 2022, 10:26AM 8 of 15
Joanne Woodward Wins an Oscar
AP/Shutterstock
Joanne Woodward glows as she poses with her husband Paul Newman, backstage at the 30th Academy Award presentations in 1958. She was celebrating her Best Actress win for The Three Faces of Eve.
During her acceptance speech, the screen beauty said, “I can only say I’ve been daydreaming about this since I was nine years old. I thank you very much. And thanks most of all to Nunnally for having more faith in me than I think anybody could have. Thank you.”
January 13, 2022, 10:26AM 9 of 15
Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward Attend the New York City Ballet
Mediapunch/Shutterstock
Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward enjoy date night at the New York City Ballet at Lincoln Center on May 25, 1993. The duo was dressed down for the evening.
January 12, 2022, 4:59PM 10 of 15
Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward Wax Works
Peter Brooker/Shutterstock
Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward were imortalized in wax. The figures were striking.
January 12, 2022, 4:59PM 11 of 15
Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward in2002
Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock
Paul Newman and wife Joanne Woodward appear at a special performance of A.R. Gurney’s Ancestral Voices at the Westport Country Playhouse in Westport, Connecticut on Apr. 6, 2002. They raised their family in Connecticut away from the hustle and bustle of Hollywood.
January 12, 2022, 4:59PM 12 of 15
Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward at ‘A Broadway Frolic’
Dave Allocca/Starpix/Shutterstoc
Paul Newman and wife Joanne Woodward appear at A Broadway Frolic on Apr. 19, 2004. The couple looked as happy as ever.
January 12, 2022, 4:59PM 13 of 15
Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward at a John Kerry Rally
Carolyn Contino/BEI/Shutterstock
Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward were longtime Democratic party supporters. Here they appear at the Victory 2004 concert for then-presidential candidate John Kerry on July 8, 2004.
January 12, 2022, 4:59PM 14 of 15
Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward at a Screening of ‘Cars’
Dave Allocca/Starpix/Shutterstock
Paul Newman does some arts and crafts opposite wife Joanne Woodward during a screening of the Disney movie Cars on June 1, 2006. He played wise automobile Doc Hudson in the movie, which was his final role before passing of lung cancer on Sep. 26, 2008.
January 12, 2022, 4:59PM 15 of 15
Paul Newman & Joanna Woodward in 1996
Elizabeth Lippman/UPI/Shuttersto
Paul Newman enjoyed a trip to the White House with his wife Joanne Woodward on June 13, 1996. They were both dressed to the nines for the event.
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