Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 102 Sat. September 04, 2004  
   
Culture


Paul Newman debuts in latest role--as circus clown


Veteran Hollywood star Paul Newman was making a flying visit to Britain to perform in a somewhat unorthodox role--that of a slapstick circus clown. The 79-year-old made a guest appearance at Zippos Circus in north London during a special performance for sick and disabled children linked to charities connected to his Newman's Own products.

Newman's range of salad dressings and other foodstuffs have been sold for charity since 1982, raising tens of millions of pounds for various causes.

Appropriately enough, Newman--wearing a green bowler hat, bow tie, giant yellow shoes and red nose--was billed as Butch Bolognese, referring also to his famous role in 1969 film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

Newman, who had a bucket of spaghetti poured over his head as part of the performance, confessed beforehand to nervousness at the 10-minute cameo. 'I'm not by inclination a clown. This will certainly end my professional career,' he was quoted as saying by Britain's domestic Press Association newswire.

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Paul Newman