Paul Newman’s daughter, Susan Kendall Newman, has passed away aged 72.
Susan, best known for her role as Janis Goldman in the 1978 Beatles tribute film I Wanna Hold Your Hand died of complications from chronic health conditions on August 2.
Her family confirmed the news and an obituary was posted on October 7 in The New York Times.
Susan was the daughter of Paul and his first wife Jackie Witte, who died in 1994 aged 64.
She was a prolific TV producer, who won a Golden Globe and Humanitas award, and was nominated for an Emmy-award.
Aside from her role in Robert Zemeckis tribute film for the Beatles, she had a few other acting gigs. In 1975, she made her Broadway debut for the play We Interrupt This Program… She also collaborated with her actor father onscreen in 1977’s Slap Shot and appeared in the 1978 Robert Altman movie A Wedding.
Susan was also a philanthropist, serving in multiple leadership roles with the Scott Newman Foundation, and eventually became the Executive Director. She is a drug abuse prevention expert, frequently speaking at various events and even advised the California Department of Education on progressive classroom programs addressing media influence on substance use.
She even produced a family-friendly audiobook series for Simon & Schuster, earning her a Grammy nomination for Best Spoken Word Album for Children.
Tributes have poured in for the TV producer and philanthropist, with one colleague writing: “I’m sure a lot of people were stunned this morning to see an obit for Susan Kendall Newman. Susan’s number is in my phone.”
“She was a huge help to me when I reported stories about trouble at the Newman Foundation, which runs Newmans Own, the philanthropic food company,” they continued.
“She was so bright and articulate, and knew the inner workings of a troubled but important organization.
“I’m sending condolences to her family including her sisters, and Woodward, who is 95 and has suffered from Alzheimer’s for more than a decade.”
Another wrote: “No! We’ve lost two stars of Robert Zemeckis’ brilliant Beatles fans comedy I Wanna Hold Your Hand less than one year apart. First, Christian Juttner last November, and now Susan Kendall Newman. I don’t want to cry while watching one of my fave movies designed for laughs.”
Images: Universal Pictures/ Instagram
