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Susan Kendall Newman, actor, producer, activist and oldest Daughter of Hollywood icon Paul Newmanhas died at the age of 72, his family announced.
In an obituary published in the new York TimesIt was revealed that Sussanne died on August 2 this year due to complications related to chronic health conditions.
Her family wrote, “Susan Kendall Newman will be remembered for her sharp wit and tongue, generosity and love, and devotion to family and friends. She will be greatly missed.”
Suzanne, whose mother was Paul Newman’s first wife Jackie Witte, was best known for her role in Robert Zemeckis’s 1978 film. i want to hold your handShe played Peggy Sue, one of a group of teenagers trying to meet the Beatles during their first appearance ed sullivan show In 1964.
Born in New York City in 1953, Suzanne began her career in theater, appearing in productions on and off Broadway before landing her role in Zemeckis’ film. His other notable on-screen appearances include to slap (1977) and a wedding (1978).
He then took on the role of a TV producer and earned an Emmy nomination for his work. shadow box (1980), a made-for-TV adaptation directed by his father and starring his stepmother, Oscar winner Joanne Woodward.
In 1980, she joined the Scott Newman Foundation – an organization founded by her father after her brother Scott, who appeared in films giant hell (1974) and breakheart pass (1975), died of a drug overdose in November 1978.
She became executive director of the foundation, earning recognition from national leaders and organizations. He testified before Congress and federal agencies on drug abuse prevention and spoke at universities, hospitals, and community groups throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, and Mexico.
He advised the California Department of Education on programs addressing the influence of media on substance use and oversaw the creation of educational resources Drug-Free Kids: A Parent’s GuideHe also led a pioneering program in which 10th grade students created their own anti-drug advertisements, with the winning entries being broadcast nationally.
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He founded Newman Consulting Company, which provides guidance on prevention initiatives, outreach campaigns and fundraising strategies to government agencies, corporations and nonprofits.
He produced a family-friendly audiobook series of classical literature for Simon & Schuster, which received a Grammy nomination, and the proceeds support family literacy programs. Later, his advocacy included education, juvenile justice, conservation, health care, election protection, environmental protection in Big Sur, and melanoma and leukemia research. He also shaped philanthropic strategies for a private foundation, supporting grassroots organizations, at-risk communities, and innovative disaster relief efforts.
Suzanne is survived by her 71-year-old sister Stephanie. She also has three half-sisters: Nell, Melissa, and Clea, from her father’s marriage to Woodward.
In a 2015 interview Vanity FairSusan spoke out against Robert Forrester, CEO of her father’s food company, Newman’s Own, which donates all of its after-tax profits to charity through the Newman’s Own Foundation.
Sussanne alleged that after her father’s death in 2008, he abandoned many of the promises and plans he had made for his daughters. He stated that it was his intention that each daughter would have a foundation funded with a substantial sum of money, inherit specific roles and be involved in governance (including seats on the board of Newman’s Own), and support their own charitable work.
According to Susan, Forrester acquired “the keys to the kingdom”, centralizing control, replacing or postponing many Hustler star’s plans, and are making it difficult for family members to get straight answers.
He further claimed that the Scott Newman Center was funded by Newman’s Own Foundation without adequate alternative support, ultimately leading to its closure in 2013.
Forrester refuted many of Susan’s characterizations, saying that her claims that he was ignoring the screen legend’s wishes were “completely false”.
In 2022, Susan and Nell filed a lawsuit against the foundation, seeking $1.6 million in damages to further benefit the charity. He claimed that money had been diverted from charitable causes that his father cared about, and that the annual donations he received had dropped from $400,000 to $200,000.
The lawsuit is still going on.