Paul Newman was an actor.
Cool Hand Luke is a 1967 American prison drama film directed by Stuart Rosenberg , starring Paul Newman and featuring George Kennedy in an Oscar-winning performance . Paul Leonard Newman ( January 26 , 1925 -- September 26 , 2008 ) was an American actor , IndyCar driver , entrepreneur , and philanthropist . Newman 's other films include The Hustler ( 1961 ) , Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid ( 1969 ) as Butch Cassidy , The Sting ( 1973 ) , and The Verdict ( 1982 ) . However , he is perhaps best remembered for his role as the title character in Cool Hand Luke ( 1967 ) .