Passages: Paul Newman, 1925-2008

Film legend, race-car driver, popcorn impresario. Activist, philanthropist, and all around lucky guy.

Paul Newman died Friday.

I mention this because — as much as I’m a fan of his work on screen — I’m downright grateful that he leant his name and likeness to his daughter’s brand, Newman’s Own Organics, and in the process brought his bazillion-lumen star power to Fair Trade and Organic coffee. He made corporate philanthropy cool.

Thanks, Paul. For everything.