"Somebody Up There Likes Me" | Plaster Face Mask used for Paul Newman's Prosthetic Fitting

Paul Newman’s breakout role as boxer Rocky Graziano in the acclaimed 1956 film by Robert Wise

The role of 1947 Middleweight Champion Graziano was originally intended for James Dean, but the actor’s death allowed the opportunity for Newman to step in. It was to be a transformative experience for Newman, who assumed the major lead for the first time, trained with the boxer and was fortunate to work with director Robert Wise. It was Wise that chose to shoot in black and white and use real locations rather than sterile film sets, placing a young Newman to his best advantage. Nominated for three Academy Awards and had Steve McQueen in a small and unbilled role.

Wise and Newman remained lifelong friends and it was the director who accepted Newman’s Oscar for The Color of Money at the Academy Awards ceremony.