Paul Newman and My Dad

Paul Newman (left, of course) and My Dad

Paul Leonard Newman (1925-2008), one of the great silver screen legends, passed away on Friday, September 26, 2008. Over the years, my father, Robert DeWitt Morse, was constantly asked "Has anyone ever told you that you look like Paul Newman?" He was even asked this by a nurse while he was in the hospital for chest pains. We joked that the local newspaper would get word and soon news would spread that Paul Newman was in the Cortland Hospital! He does, indeed, look a lot like Paul Newman. Here are some other eerie similarities they shared:

Paul Newman and his wife (Joanne Woodward) were married for 50 years; My parents (Robert & Mary Morse) celebrated their 50th Anniversary in 2004. Paul had a son named Scott (deceased) from a previous marriage; My parents have a son named Scott, although he's not deceased. Paul Newman was in the Navy, as was my dad. Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward have several children, one of which is a daughter named Melissa; my name, as you know, is Melissa. Paul Newman was born in January (the 26th) and my dad was born in January (the 21st) although several years after Paul. Paul Newman had those striking blue eyes, as does my dad.

My Parents (2004) and Paul Newman

It's strange to have someone who's always been so closely associated with my dad pass away. Not quite like losing my own dad, but like losing a piece of my dad. Even though my dad has never been famous or won any Oscars, he's a star to me. I love him and I'm glad he's my dad.