Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward’s Daughter on the ‘Good Lesson’ Her ‘Inextricably Connected’ Parents Taught Her (Exclusive)

Clea Newman follows in her dad's philanthropic footsteps as an ambassador for SeriousFun Children's Network

Michel Dufour/WireImage Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman circa 1987.

Michel Dufour/WireImage

Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman circa 1987.

The youngest daughter of Paul Newman and the legendary actress Joanne Woodward honors her dad’s legacy of philanthropy on what would have been his 100th birthday (Jan. 26), deeming 2025 “The Year of SeriousFun.”

Clea Newman, 59, is an ambassador for SeriousFun Children's Network, a family of 30 camps and programs that Newman and the Newman's Own Foundation started for children with serious illnesses.

In 1988, the late movie icon opened the first camp, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, and Clea said it became “part of his persona” and where he dedicated all of his free time. Newman’s vision for the camps was a place for kids to escape the fear, pain and isolation of living with serious medical conditions.

Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/Getty Clea Newman in 2018.

Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/Getty

Clea Newman in 2018.

Today, SeriousFun has offered 2 million camp experiences, which are free of charge, serving more than 130 medical conditions and a wide range of rare diseases. Every camp is fully equipped for pediatric care, and medication is administered without disrupting the fun for campers, whether they’re at the boat dock, pool or high-ropes course.

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The organization is powered by Newman’s daughter and more than 365,000 volunteers. Looking back at her life with her Oscar-winning father, who died in 2008 at age 83, Clea calls him “a big kid," and here, she writes what she wishes she could tell him.

Art Selby/NBCU Photo Bank Clea Newman and Paul Newman in 1974.

Art Selby/NBCU Photo Bank

Clea Newman and Paul Newman in 1974.

If there’s one thing I could tell you, it’s you were right. You had a way of leading me in a better direction without me knowing it. After I started working for a law firm and realized it wasn’t for me, you suggested I volunteer at our first SeriousFun Children’s Network Camp in Ashford, Conn. I drove into camp a naive twentysomething and left a different person. You saw that kids with life- threatening illnesses were missing out on their childhood and said they needed a place where they “could kick back and raise a little hell.”  

Related: Paul Newman's Daughter Remembers His Philanthropic Efforts: 'Such a Heartfelt Passion'

You always said, “Newmans are late bloomers.” You thought you didn’t give a great performance until The Verdict [in 1982]. You became incredibly present as a father, especially later in life. I remember you taking me to Madison Square Garden for a horse show, even though you were deathly allergic. I had to be there at 3 in the morning, and you took allergy medicine all day! Even in your 80s you couldn’t wait to get into your race car. No wonder your grandkids called you Superman.  

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Watching how inextricably you and Mom were connected was another good lesson. You did a beautiful job growing old together and enjoying the simple things—finding a bed-and-breakfast, reading the paper together. 

Related: American Idol: Paul Newman 1925-2008

You told me to please take care of Mom and take care of the camps. As of your 100th birthday [Jan. 26] we will have helped more than 2 million kids. Again, you were right. Being part of this beautiful thing gives me hope for the future.

Read the original article on People