When I had auditions for "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" in 2004, I asked folks to list their favorite actor or actress. I got plenty of answers, but it made me wonder who was my favorite actor. It's always hard to pin down an absolute favorite of anything, so my mind wandered. Brando? Nope, too brooding. Pacino? Nope, too big. DeNiro? Too predictable. Hanks? Too nice. Cruise? Gibson? Too crazy. Pitt? Clooney? Too perfect. Murray? Depp? Getting closer. I finally settled on one no one would argue with: Paul Newman.

He was a legend before my time, but through a little back-tracking movie watching, he really holds up better than most. Cool Hand Luke is still one of my favorite roles any actor has ever played. The crowning jewel of a career that spanned over 50 years. Hud brings me back to my eastern NM/West Texas roots, The Hustler is still the best pool (billiards) movie ever, Slapshot is the funniest hockey movie ever, and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is... well, it's Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, isn't it?

Even the cheesy movies were a bit of fun. Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid was a good time even with that awful late 60s soundtrack. The Sting makes a nice TV matinee these days. I even watched Mr. & Mrs. Bridge with my folks one time, and Newman & wife Joanne Woodward still had the chops to make a good flick in the 90s.

What I think really endures about Paul Newman over every other actor is how he led his life. There are literally thousands of lead actors who have made dozens of films. They have all made their impact in their own special ways, entertaining us on the big and small screen. Newman found ways to impress us off the screen just as much.

Maybe I would hold Brando in higher regard if he didn't turn into a jackass the older he got. Tom Cruise went from golden boy to scientology freak. Mel Gibson turned into a masochist anti-Semite. I'm sure these characterizations are overblown, but my point is that the superstar limelight ruins the reputation of most people. What scandalous thing can you say about Paul Newman? He drove race cars. Wow, that's still pretty cool.

When his only son died of and overdose of alcohol and Valium, he donated money for films warning kids about the dangers of such things. He took a salad dressing which started as a joke and turned it into a multi-million dollar charity organization. Even when he was dying of cancer, he never let on how bad it was getting. It seemed like when the lights were on him, he was stunning, and when they were off him, he could just disappear.

It would be remiss not to mention that Newman was a striking man. It's pretty much a given that 90 percent of leading men are easy on the eyes, but Newman took the hard roles. He wasn't afraid to be the anti-hero or the villain. He could be a downright shithead in film like in Hud, and you still couldn't wait to see what he did next.

I never had the pleasure to see him on stage, but as a local stage actor & director, it's nice to know he never gave up the theatre. With more than fifty films to his credit, I think it's safe to say he was in hundreds of plays. Until his final days, he had plans to direct "Of Mice and Men." This was a man who embraced his craft, not the celebrity that came with it.

As probably everyone knows, Paul Newman died yesterday at the age of 83. A ripe old age for any man, let alone a legendary actor. He hung up his acting gloves a few years ago, saying he didn't have the memory or creativity to continue. You have to respect that, and come to think of it, I never saw him act badly. I'm sure there's one or two regretful pictures, but I don't know about them.

I'm sure he had a few regretful moments in his life, but we don't know about them either. He was the consummate gentleman and a prime example of how a man should live his life. Trust me, that's rarely said when we're talking about actors, and I'm proud to say Paul Newman is my favorite.

Chris Jungle isn't cool enough to eat fifty eggs at one time.