Acclaimed Actress and Philanthropist Susan Kendall Newman Dies at 72

Susan Kendall Newman, the acclaimed actress and philanthropist who was the daughter of legendary actor Paul Newman, passed away on Aug. 2, 2025 at the age of 72. According to an obituary published in The New York Times on Oct. 7, 2025, Kendall died from complications related to her ongoing chronic health conditions.

Kendall had an impressive career in television, earning a Golden Globe Award and receiving nominations for the Emmy, Peabody, and Grammy Awards for her work as a producer. This included her role in the 1980 ABC Theatre production of "The Shadow Box," which was directed by her father and starred Joanne Woodward and Christopher Plummer.

Beyond her on-screen work, Kendall also produced a family-friendly audiobook series of classical literature for Simon & Schuster, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Spoken Word Album for Children. As a philanthropist, she served in multiple leadership roles with the Scott Newman Foundation, which was founded by her father following the tragic death of her brother Scott due to a drug overdose. Kendall became an expert in drug abuse prevention through her work with the foundation.

In later life, Kendall expanded her advocacy efforts to include education, juvenile justice, conservation, and healthcare causes. She was instrumental in shaping the philanthropic strategies of a private foundation and took pride in supporting impactful grassroots organizations, particularly those serving at-risk communities often overlooked by mainstream philanthropy.