Paul Newman’s daughters sue late Hollywood star’s charitable foundation for $1,600,000-Tori Brazier-Entertainment – Metro

The actor, pictured here in 1995, first set up Newman’s Own in 1982 (Picture: Getty)

Paul Newman’s daughters are suing the late Hollywood star’s charitable foundation, accusing it of ‘dishonouring’ Newman’s legacy and going against his wishes.

The charity is controlled and funded through Newman’s Own, the food and drink line which uses the actor’s likeness on products including pasta sauces and popular salad dressings.

Susan Kendall Newman and Nell Newman, two of the star’s six children, allege that their own charity organisations are supposed to receive $400,000 (£338,000) each annually – as mandated by their father – but that those payments have been slashed in half in recent years.

Filing a lawsuit on Tuesday in Connecticut, the siblings are now seeking $1.6million (£1.35m) in damages to be donated to their own charities to distribute.

The complaint also claims that the foundation has ‘lost its way and strayed from its mission to preserve and honour Paul Newman’s legacy’, with the sisters interpreting the apparent change as the start of a plan to force them out of the organisation and having any right in saying how the products’ profits are donated to charities.

The foundation enjoys funding from the ownership of The Great Escape star’s publicity rights.

Susan Newman and Nell Newman, seen here with sister Clea (L), have filed a lawsuit (Picture: Getty)

Newman’s famous roles include opposite Elizabeth Taylor in 1958’s Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Picture: Bettmann Archive)

Newman created Newman’s Own in 1982, with all profits going to charity, before creating the foundation in 2005.

The popular star, known for roles in such classics as Cat on a Hot Tin Roof with Elizabeth Taylor, Cool Hand Luke and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, died in 2008.

He had lived with his wife, actress Joanne Woodward, in Westport, Connecticut.

Ms Newman and Ms Newman also say that their actor father only allowed the foundation to use his name and likeness providing it met several stipulations, which includes the $400,000 payments.

Andy Lee, the lawyers for the daughters, said in a statement: ‘No one should have to feel that the legacy of a departed loved one is being dishonoured in the way that Newman’s Own Foundation has disregarded the daughters of Paul Newman.’

He also played Butch Cassidy in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid with Robert Redford (Picture: Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)

Newman’s second wife was Joanne Woodward, with the actors married for 50 years (Picture: Darlene Hammond/Getty Images)

‘This lawsuit does not seek personal compensation for Mr Newman’s daughters, but simply seeks to hold (Newman’s Own Foundation) accountable to the charities they have shortchanged in recent years and would ensure they receive an increased level of support in the future, in line with Mr Newman’s wishes,’ he added.

Newman’s Own Foundation replied in its statement: ‘Best practices surrounding philanthropic organizations do not allow for the establishment of perpetual funding allotments for anyone, including Nell and Susan Newman.

‘A meritless lawsuit based on this faulty wish would only divert money away from those who benefit from Paul Newman’s generosity.’

‘While we expect to continue to solicit Newman family recommendations for worthy organisations, our funding decisions are made each year and will continue to reflect the clear aim of Paul Newman and our responsibility to the best practices governing private foundations,’ it finished.

More: Trending

The foundation is yet to file a response to the lawsuit in court.

According to the Newman’s Own Foundation website it has donated over $570m worldwide since 1982, and to thousands of different charities.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : Sir Ian McKellen duped into ‘call with Ukraine’s President Zelensky’ by cruel Russian comedians

MORE : Tommy Lee taunts Instagram with yet another cheeky nude upload: ‘This cool?!’

Entertainment – MetroRead More