7 Sweet Pics Of Joanne Woodward And Paul Newman Throughout Their 50-Year Marriage

Marriages that survive for a long time don't seem to be a common trend in Hollywood, but Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman defied the odds. Newman was previously married to Jackie Witte, and after their separation, it's clear he didn't need any tips for getting back into dating after a divorce as he found love again with Woodward. The silver screen legends tied the knot in 1958, and their union remained one of the celebrity marriages that stood the test of time, lasting until Newman's death from lung cancer in 2008.

The pair worked on several films together, both before and during their marriage. From "The Long, Hot Summer" to "A New Kind of Love," these projects strengthened their bond while solidifying their status as one of Hollywood's "It" couples. What's more, they seemed to be fans of documenting their love and life together. "There's so many pictures of my parents with cameras hanging around their necks," the couple's daughter Melissa shared with People. Looking back on photos of the couple through the years, it's easy to see how that their love for each other wasn't just for show, but rather, evidence of a genuinely devoted partnership.

One of the hallmarks of a healthy relationship is being happy for your partner's achievements. And when Joanne Woodward won an Oscar for Best Actress for her performance in "The Three Faces of Eve" in 1958, Paul Newman was by her side to celebrate. Woodward and Newman were all smiles as they posed in classy outfits for the camera, with Newman looking happy for his wife's victory. What's more, Woodward's Oscar win was the same year the couple got married, so they had plenty to be happy about. 

In this sweet outdoor picture taken in 1962, Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward's closeness and love for each other are evident. It makes sense, given that the two had much to celebrate around that time. The previous year, their film, "Paris Blues," had been released. Their family also grew larger with the birth of their second daughter, Melissa. Standing aside each other dressed in vibrant colors and patterns, the two look totally content.

One of the perks of working with your spouse is you get to share career milestones. For silver screen stars Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, nothing captures this more than the 1963 snapshot of them laughing and enjoying themselves as they had their hands and feet imprinted into the cement at Grauman's Chinese Theater. It was clearly a pivotal moment for them as actors, and a heartwarming, tender moment for the two as a married couple. 

In reality, no marriage is like the ones you read in fairy tales or romance books. And the same could be said about Joanne and Paul's relationship. "They fought, and it could be dramatic, but they also fought really hard to stay together," their youngest daughter, Claire Newman, recounted (per Fox News). Yet it's evident from this picture taken in 1975 that they strove to keep the love and laughter alive in their marriage.

It seems Woodward's appreciation for her husband's humor never faded. "Sexiness wears thin after a while and beauty fades," she reportedly once said (per People). "But to be married to a man who makes you laugh every day, ah, now that's a real treat!"

It seems that nothing could pull Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward away from each other. When the pair attended the film premiere for "The Color of Money" (which Newman acted in) back in 1986, they still looked like newlyweds, despite having been together for more than 20 years. The snap caught them holding hands and gazing at each other with such tenderness that fans would certainly call them "couple goals" had they risen to fame in the 21st century. 

When a 78-year-old Paul Newman starred in the 2003 play "Our Town," he proved that his acting chops remained intact. Joanne Woodward wasn't shy in showing her support for her husband, kissing him in front of cheering audiences during the final show. One could argue that kiss gave him good luck, since Newman later managed to score a Tony Award nomination for his performance.

Throughout the duration of their marriage, Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward never stopped making films together, having acted with each other in 11 works over the decades. "Scripts were usually stacked on tables and desks, to be gone through at offices, in the living room, by the pool" wrote their daughter, Melissa Newman, in an essay for Sothebys (via Substack). "We grew up watching them read."

The couple's final project was the 2005 HBO drama show "Empire Falls." Based on this snap of the duo from a 2008 charity gala, both their working relationship and romantic bond seemed as strong as it was decades prior.