Paul Newman's Beer Drinking Habits Explored

Paul Newman was a functioning alcoholic, according to his daughters and Shawn Levy's biography, Paul Newman: A Life. Newman's predilection for beer was not well known, perhaps because it was incongruous with his image. He was often seen drinking beer on set, in his office, at parties, and during interviews. Newman carried a bottle opener on a chain around his neck and was known to drink a case of beer a day, followed by Scotch. His drinking almost ended his marriage to Joanne Woodward, and he gave up hard liquor after she threatened to leave him. Following the death of his son, Scott, from a drug overdose in 1978, Newman advocated against substance abuse and urged Princeton University to end a campus binge-drinking tradition named after him.

Paul Newman's daughters describe him as a high-functioning alcoholic

Paul Newman's daughters described him as a "high-functioning alcoholic" in the original docuseries, *The Last Movie Stars*. They revealed that their father would often get "blackout drunk" most nights and that he carried a bottle opener on a chain around his neck, putting away "beer after beer after beer, a case or more a day".

Newman's drinking reportedly caused a strain on his marriage to Joanne Woodward, who once packed her bags and took their children, only to later work things out with Newman after he promised to give up hard liquor. Woodward's ultimatum was reportedly sparked by finding Newman hurt on the floor.

Newman's drinking was also observed by movie personnel, who noted that the actor was often seen "drinking beers on the set, in his office, at parties, during interviews, watching TV, getting ready for TV, and relaxing after dinner." Despite his drinking, Newman was able to maintain his career and public image, with one source noting that his "predilection for beer is not well known—perhaps because it is incongruous with his image."

Following the death of his son, Scott, from a drug overdose in 1978, Newman became an advocate against substance abuse. He urged Princeton University to end a campus binge-drinking tradition named after him and publicly admitted to giving up everything but beer mid-career, with a short relapse after his son's death.

Newman's predilection for beer

Paul Newman's predilection for beer was well-known to those close to him, but perhaps less so to the general public. Newman's friend A. E. Hotchner recalled days spent "on Long Island Sound, drinking beer and scaring the fish", and Newman himself often referred to his beer drinking.

Newman's drinking habits were also observed by those he worked with. On the set of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Newman was often seen drinking beer, and he carried a bottle opener on a chain around his neck, which he used to put away "beer after beer after beer, a case or more a day". He would then move on to spirits, such as Scotch, in the evenings.

Newman's heavy drinking was also noted by his family. His daughters described him as a "high-functioning alcoholic", and said that he would get blackout drunk most nights. Newman's wife, Joanne Woodward, reportedly left him temporarily due to his drinking, only returning after he promised to give up hard liquor.

Newman's son, Scott, died of a drug overdose in 1978, after which Newman became an anti-drug activist and advocated against substance abuse. He also appealed to Princeton University to end a campus binge-drinking tradition named after him, in which participants tried to consume a beer an hour for 24 hours.

Newman's Day at Princeton University

Newman's Day is a drinking tradition among college students, in which 24 beers are consumed over 24 hours. The ritual was initiated by students of Bates College, in Lewiston, Maine, during the college's annual January 1976 Winter Carnival. The tradition was originally named Paul Newman Day, but was later renamed Newman Day (sometimes Newman's Day).

Paul Newman was known for his love of beer, and this tradition was inspired by a quote attributed to him: "24 hours in a day, 24 beers in a case. Coincidence? I think not." However, Newman himself publicly opposed the tradition, asserting that the quote was misattributed. He struggled with drinking himself and called the tradition "abhorrent" and "cruel."

Newman Day is held annually on April 24 at Princeton University and other colleges across the United States, including Kenyon College, Newman's alma mater. The event is not officially sanctioned by any university and is solely an unofficial tradition among students.

During Newman Day, participants must consume one beer every hour, within the hour, from 12:00 am to 11:59 pm. They are not allowed to sleep or throw up during this time, and they must continue with their daily activities, maintaining a normal outer appearance. If a participant does throw up, even at 11:50 pm, the "clock resets" and they must consume 24 beers in nine minutes or 540 seconds.

Despite Newman's disapproval, the tradition has persisted at Princeton and other universities. In 2004, Newman took out a page in The Daily Princetonian, Princeton's college newspaper, to disavow the quote and register his opposition to the event. He encouraged students to participate in "twenty-three hours of community service followed by a cold one" instead.

Paul Newman's Relationship with Alcohol

Paul Newman often referred to his beer drinking and was identified by it. His obituary in the San Francisco Chronicle noted his enjoyment of "drinking beer and playing elaborate pranks on friends." Newman's best friend, A. E. Hotchner, also recounted days spent "on Long Island Sound, drinking beer and scaring the fish."

However, Newman's predilection for beer was not well known, perhaps because it contradicted his image as a happily married, successful, and philanthropic individual. He was also an anti-drug activist due to his son's death from a drug overdose.

Variations and Similar Traditions

While Newman Day is traditionally associated with drinking, some variations and similar traditions focus on community service and charity work. Kenyon College, Newman's alma mater, celebrates Newman Day on March 30, the anniversary of the actor's first Academy Award. This day includes community service projects and charity work, in line with Newman's wishes.

At the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University in Minnesota, a similar tradition is celebrated annually under the name of "Case Day."

Newman's drinking habits while filming

Paul Newman's drinking habits while filming were well-documented and often included in stories about the actor. Newman was often seen "drinking beers on the set, in his office, at parties, during interviews, watching TV, getting ready for TV, and relaxing after dinner".

Newman's heavy drinking was also noted by his co-stars, with Robert Redford joining him for a beer in his dressing room while filming Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Newman also reportedly drank a six-pack of beer for breakfast while filming the same movie.

Newman's drinking was not limited to beer, as he was also known to move on to drinks like Scotch in the evenings. This behaviour was noted by his wife, Joanne Woodward, who once found him hurt on the floor, leading to her issuing an ultimatum for him to give up hard liquor.

Newman's drinking was so notorious that it inspired a college binge-drinking tradition called "Newman's Day", which involves participants trying to consume a beer an hour for 24 hours. Newman himself appealed to Princeton University to end this tradition, as his son Scott had died of a drug overdose in 1978, leading him to advocate against substance abuse.

Newman's anti-substance abuse advocacy

Paul Newman's son, Scott Newman, died of a drug overdose in 1978 at the age of 28. Following this tragedy, Newman became an anti-drug activist and founded a centre in his son's name to help prevent substance abuse.

In 2004, Newman urged Princeton University to end a campus binge-drinking tradition named after him, Newman's Day, which involved participants trying to consume a beer an hour for 24 hours. Newman's lawyer, Leo Nevas, sent the university a letter stating that the actor was "disturbed by the use of his name in conjunction with this alcohol-related event, and he would like to bring an end to this tradition".

Newman's heavy drinking was addressed in the 2022 documentary "The Last Movie Stars" by Ethan Hawke. The actor's daughters described him as a "high-functioning alcoholic" and shared that he would get blackout drunk most nights, only to dip his head into ice-cold water the next morning to ensure a productive day.

Despite his struggles with alcohol, Newman managed to maintain a successful career and a 50-year marriage to his wife, Joanne Woodward. He is remembered not only for his creative legacy but also for his philanthropic efforts, including his advocacy against substance abuse.

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