Tag: Paul Newman

  • Paul Newman dead, at 83

    Actor Paul Newman died yesterday of cancer. He was 83.

    Newman was known not only for his many films, but for his philanthropic and political activities.

    Newman’s Own, which manufactures salad dressings, sauces and other foods, donates profits to charities. The organization reports having given away more than $250 million since 1982. Newman was a major benefactor of his alma mater, Kenyon College.

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    He was also a contributor to Democratic candidates such as Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, and wrote occasionally for the liberal magazine, The Nation.

    Newman won an Oscar for his role in the 1986 movie, “The Color of Money,” and received two honorary Oscars for his contributions to film.

    He is survived by his wife, Joanne Woodward, who co-starred with him in “Mr. and Mrs. Bridge” and the made-for-TV movie, “Empire Falls.”

  • Murphy & Kress: accountants to the stars

    Yesterday, we posted a story on addresses in New York that gave the most money to the three presidential campaigns.

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    Tracking contributions by address is more difficult on the west coast, where the wealthy are likely to have private estates rather than high-rise penthouses. For privacy, many donors process their campaign contributions through their money managers or other hired help.

    That’s how we stumbled across 2401 Main St. in Santa Monica, Calif.

    The address tracks to Murphy & Kress, an accounting firm that takes care of a clientele so exclusive that it refuses to confirm its clients.

    FEC filings indicate that Murphy & Kress handles financial affairs for Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Denzel Washington, Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward and Geena Davis, among other prominent figures in the film industry.

    Coincidentally, all parties listing their address 2401 Main St. supported Democratic candidates in the 2008 presidential election.

    Damon and Affleck have given to Obama, as have Denzel Washington and Geena Davis. Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward supported both the Clinton and Obama campaigns, giving the maximum donation to both.

    Company spokesperson Fariba Lary declined to comment on any clients of Murphy & Kress, “due to confidentiality.”

    Yet on liner notes for her album, Mistaken Identity, Donna Summer thanks the firm “for keeping all the finances in order.”

    Funny how celebrity agents hunger for publicity, while their money managers prefer to stay beneath the radar. Murphy & Kress does not even have a public website.