Paul Newman's controversial bio

An unauthorized biography of Paul Newman causes scandal.

Just out in the US, the biography «Paul Newman: A Life» throws rotten fruit at the image of the late actor of «The Sting».

While many critics have shown approval for Shawn Levy's in-depth research, which turned up many instructive anecdotes about Hollywood, some don't appreciate the few bits of dirt the biographer dug up about the actor.

Levy describes Paul Newman as a bad father, an alcoholic and a cheating husband who had an affair with a journalist at the end of the 1960's, when he was already married to Joanne Woodward. His mistress allegedly left him after a year and a half, tired of his constant drinking, which reportedly resulted in his inability to satisfy her sexually.

The author of the bio also brings up Newman's supposed rivalry with Steve McQueen, with whom he nevertheless starred in «The Towering Inferno», as well as the difficulties faced by his 6 children, growing up in the shadow of the extremely handsome superstar. Levy claims the lack of communication between the actor and his only son was the cause of the young man's death from alcohol and drugs at age 28.

Several passages of the biography are available on the Daily Mail's website.