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Paul Newman salutes Elizabeth Taylor in TCM tribute
With news of Elizabeth Taylor's passing on Wednesday morning (Mar. 23), friends and fans alike are mourning the loss of a Hollywood legend. Turner Classic Movies has already set a 24-hour tribute in motion, planning to show 11 of her most memorable films back-to-back on Sunday, April 10. Friend and co-star Paul Newman, who passed away in 2008, memorialized the Hollywood icon for TCM years ago, reminiscing about their days filming "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" together back in 1958. Newman played Brick Pollitt in the film, the alcoholic husband of Taylor's Maggie.
"Her life has not been an easy or private one, but a series of tribulations, serious illnesses, senseless tragedy and lost love," he says in the tribute.
"In the midst of our filming 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' she became a widow," he continues. "Yet she persevered and acting was therapeutic. I was overwhelmed with her professionalism. She later said that playing Maggie 'The Cat' saved her."
He goes on to gush about Taylor's classic beauty and incredible talents. Talents that he says sometimes went unnoticed.
"Her sunny looks also often led the critics to overlook her powerful performances and underrate her acting ability," he explains. "But she has won over her detractors with tenacity and dedication to her craft. She was always striving to push herself to the limit. Revisiting her work is revelatory, every time you watch her films you discover something new.
"What can you say about a legend? Elizabeth Taylor is a courageous survivor, a hell of an actress and someone that I am extremely proud to know," Newman concludes.
Watch the full tribute below. All you hardcore fans may want to have a tissue ready, as Newman's words are truly touching.
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Photo/Video credit: AP
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I loved Elizabeth Taylor as an
actress, because that's what I had
known her for. She was a beautiful women, and she was a beautiful human being, for her humanitarian efforts during her life. She will never die she will live on in the memories of her loved one and fans. She is gone but not forgotten.
Elizabeth Taylor will forever be timeless. My favorite movie is "Cat on a hot tin roof". she is and always will be a Hollywood Icon with great acting abilites and unparallel beauty. GOD bless you and your family at this time.
Elizabeth Taylor was my favorite actress, not only for her great beauty but for her range of acting and the wonderful movies she made. I adored her so much that I named my daughter after her. My favorite movie was Butterfield 8. I grew up with her movies and remember when she made so many of them. Goodbye Elizabeth and thank you. We will always remember you and the wonderful movies you gave us.
MY ABSOLUTELY FAVORITE ACTRESS OF ALL TIME. "LASSIE COME HOME, NATIONAL VELVET AND BUTTERFIELD 8!" HER RANGE OF MOVIES WAS HER GIFT TO US. WILL MISS YOU! BLESSINGS TO YOUR FAMILY.
This is to the person who made a reference to James Dean as "gay". I know the story of Rebel Without a Cause very, very well. If you knew the story, you would know that he was very attracted to the character that Natalie Wood played. Sal Mineo played the part of a young man who was brought up by a nanny or housekeeper and his parents paid him little attention. Dean was sympathetic toward him and so was Natalie. This was not the part of a gay man, but quite the opposite. He was kind and empathetic. I am 70 yrs of age now, and that was a wonderful movie, and I have seen it so, so many times over the years, and I love James Dean, and the movie. PS I first saw the movie in 1955.