The great actor and philanthropist Paul Newman died yesterday at the age of 83. You can read about his life and work here.

The Newman’s Own Foundation issued this statement:

Newman’s Own Foundation Celebrates the Life and Legacy of Paul Newman

(January 26, 1925 – September 26, 2008)

Last update: 9:14 a.m. EDT Sept. 27, 2008

WESTPORT, Conn., Sept 27, 2008 PRNewswire via COMTEX — Remembering the life and legacy of Paul Newman, Newman’s Own Foundation has issued a statement. The statement, from Vice-Chairman Robert Forrester, follows:

“Paul Newman’s craft was acting. His passion was racing. His love was his family and friends. And his heart and soul were dedicated to helping make the world a better place for all.

“Paul had an abiding belief in the role that luck plays in one’s life, and its randomness. He was quick to acknowledge the good fortune he had in his own life, beginning with being born in America, and was acutely aware of how unlucky so many others were. True to his character, he quietly devoted himself to helping offset this imbalance.

“An exceptional example is the legacy of Newman’s Own. What started as something of a joke in the basement of his home, turned into a highly-respected, multi-million dollar a year food company. And true to form, he shared this good fortune by donating all the profits and royalties he earned to thousands of charities around the world, a total which now exceeds $250 million.

“While his philanthropic interests and donations were wide-ranging, he was especially committed to the thousands of children with life-threatening conditions served by the Hole in the Wall Camps, which he helped start over 20 years ago. He saw the Camps as places where kids could escape the fear, pain and isolation of their conditions, kick back, and raise a little hell. Today, there are 11 Camps around the world, with additional programs in Africa and Vietnam. Through the Camps, well over 135,000 children have had the chance to experience what childhood was meant to be.

“In Paul’s words: “I wanted to acknowledge luck; the chance and benevolence of it in my life, and the brutality of it in the lives of others, who might not be allowed the good fortune of a lifetime to correct it.”

“Paul took advantage of what life offered him, and while personally reluctant to acknowledge that he was doing anything special, he forever changed the lives of many with his generosity, humor, and humanness. His legacy lives on in the charities he supported and the Hole in the Wall Camps, for which he cared so much.

“We will miss our friend Paul Newman, but are lucky ourselves to have known such a remarkable person.”

Many celebrities support charitable causes, but by creating Newman’s Own and building it into a successful business, Paul Newman was able to generate far more money for charity than he could have given out of his own pocket.

Newman was not among the most politically-active Hollywood stars, but he did make Richard Nixon’s enemies list, which made him proud:

“Nixon didn’t like my campaigning for Democratic presidential candidate Eugene McCarthy. But then again, he didn’t much care for debate, dissent, or the Constitution either.

“I was proud to stand with Democrats against an imperial president back then.  And I am proud now to stand with a new generation of Democrats against a president who poses what I believe to be the biggest internal threat  to American democracy in my lifetime.

Newman did not take sides in this year’s Democratic primary, donating generously to several presidential candidates and maxing out to both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

After the jump I’ve created a poll where you can vote for your favorite Paul Newman movie. Share your thoughts and memories in the comments.