Susan Kendall Newman, Actress and Activist, Passes Away at 72

LOS ANGELES, CA — Susan Kendall Newman, an actress, Emmy-nominated producer, and social activist, died on August 2, 2025, at the age of 72 due to complications from chronic health conditions, her family confirmed.

Newman, the daughter of acclaimed actor Paul Newman and his first wife Jackie Witte, was best known for her role as Janis Goldman in the 1978 film I Wanna Hold Your Hand, which depicted enthusiastic fans trying to witness The Beatles‘ first American television performance on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964.

In addition to I Wanna Hold Your Hand, Newman appeared in notable films such as Slap Shot (1977), where she played a pharmacist, and A Wedding (1978), directed by Robert Altman. Her stage career included a brief Broadway appearance in 1975 in We Interrupt This Program, which ran for only seven performances.

Newman was not just an actress; she also made her mark as a producer. In 1980, she adapted Michael Cristofer’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play The Shadow Box for ABC Theatre, a production that was directed by her father and starred her stepmother, Oscar winner Joanne Woodward. Later, she produced an acclaimed audiobook series of classical stories for children, which earned her a Grammy nomination.

Born in 1953, Newman faced personal tragedy at the age of 25 when her brother, Scott, died from a drug overdose in 1978. This prompted her father to establish the Scott Newman Center for drug abuse prevention. Susan joined the foundation in 1980 and became executive director, advocating against drug abuse and speaking at various institutions and events.

Newman was particularly proud of an innovative program that engaged high school students in creating anti-drug commercials, a project that won national recognition. Later, she expanded her advocacy work to focus on education, juvenile justice, conservation, and healthcare.

She is survived by her sisters, and tributes have poured in from colleagues and friends in the industry. One colleague expressed condolences, highlighting Newman’s role in supporting the Newman Foundation, which supports charitable endeavors like Newman’s Own food company.

Her legacy will be remembered through her contributions to the arts and her commitment to social causes.