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Ferilliwww.sabrinaferilli.it September 29 The passing of the legend and fine man.Two years ago I am at my home in Rome and hear the knocking on the door. I open the door to see Joanne Woodward who is the wife of Paul Newman and herself an actress of great skill. The translation person she brings translates Joanne Woodward's words as she speaks.
Lady Ferilli, I am Joanne Woodward, my husband is Paul Newman. We are very sorry to intrude but we want very much to meet you. My husband is too shy and he does not speak Italian to ask himself. The translator turns and points to the automobile and I see Paul Newman inside. He gives some small wave and expression of apology is on his face.
I say to Joanne Wooward, but I also speak English. She says, We did not know. In your films we have seen you only speak Italian.
And we both laugh.
I walk to the car with Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman opens the window. I say in English, you do not speak Italian and are too shy to meet me? He says, I am. I have always admired your films and one day wanted to meet you. With a beaming smile he says, Joanne and I are visiting Rome, I asked where you lived and here we are. I say to him, a great American film actor should not be sitting in the car in the rain. He says to me, a great European film actress should not be standing in the rain talking to an American film actor. And we laugh.
Then suddenly he stops for a moment, and exclaims, Wait! You speak English!
I say yes but I can speak in Italian if you prefer this. We laugh again.
The person they bring to translate is not needed and is excused.
I welcome them both into my home and we talk for many, many hours. They are fine and wonderful people. They have great interests in helping other people. We do not speak often of films or acting. We talk of more important matters. We talk of the ways we help people, in their country of the United States and my country of Italy.
As we tour my gardens and home he sees my acting awards in the library. He says to me, Sabrina how many awards for best actress have you won? I say 14. 14 he exclaims loudly. He says to his wife Joanne - Jo, do you have a pen and paper. I want Sabrina's autograph. We all share a laugh.
They stay for dinner and long in to the evening and we walk under umbrellas through St. Peter's Square of the Vatican and the streets of Roma.
Paul Newman was a classic character actor of enormous skill and stage presence. When you are watching the film with the truly skilled actor you believe you are watching the character the actor portrays in the film and not the actor as a person. Paul Newman had this very rare skill. He became the person he portrayed in the film. Not Paul Newman playing the role of the person.
There are very few actors as skilled as Paul Newman was. Sadly, most of these actors have now passed on, as Paul Newman now has.
When I return to Roma last night and read the news of his death I am saddened. I walk through my home and gardens remembering the day this wonderful man and this wonderful woman came to visit me that rainy day.
And I look at the empty space on the shelf where a best actress award once was. For before they left my home that night I gave to him one of my awards and I say, now you have two best acting awards. One from America and one from Italia!
Before they drove off they both invite me to their home in America.
I now deeply regret that I did not do this. For his illness progressed quickly.
I will not remember Paul Newman as a great character actor and film legend.
I will remember Paul Newman as a quiet and gentle man who was interested and dedicated in helping other people with his generosity and kindness.
I will go to America to attend the funeral Mass and to express my sympathy to Joanne and their children.
May God keep the soul of Paul Newman as he rests in Eternal Peace and comfort and guide his lovely wife through the her now lonely journey of life.
Ferilli
September 28 Goda di prego. |
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