Tom Hanks reflects on late co-star Paul Newman’s ‘most important role’

Tom Hanks and Paul Rudd attended a star-studded gala where they got candid about the multitalented Paul Newman.

Newman, who founded his own food company Newman's Own, which donates all its profits to charity, was also an avid contributor to the SeriousFun Children's Network.

The organisation listed as the “leading network of medical specialty camps in the world, comprised of 30 camps and programs serving children with serious illnesses and their families, always free of charge," recently held A Night of SeriousFun Gala.

The event was attended by Hanks who shared the screen with Newman in Road to Perdition, introduced the deceased star as an “American legend” during the live show section before noting that his charity work was "maybe the most important role he ever played."

He continued, "In 1988, Paul led a movement to start up a camp designed specifically for kids with serious illnesses. Thirty-seven years later, SeriousFun campers and programs can be found all over the world."

The sentiment was echoed by Rudd, 56, who stated, "It began with a simple but profound idea,” before outlining The Hustler actor’s vision which inspired a global movement of camps and programs that “serve over 100 different medical conditions.”

The versatile actor, who had also major success as a race car driver, director and entrepreneur was also called a “visionary leader” by Rudd.

Notably, Newman passed away of lung cancer in September 2008, in Westport, Conn., at the age of 83.

What was Paul Newman's last movie before he died?

Paul Newman’s last appearance film before he died was in the 2002 film, Road to Perdition, however he did make a cameo as a voice actor in the 2006 Pixar movie, Cars.

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