# Who was better looking, Paul Newman or Robert Redford? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** actor-characters\ **Created:** [June 11, 2023, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-better-looking-paul-newman-or-robert-redford/985315 "2023-06-11T03:42:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2023, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-better-looking-paul-newman-or-robert-redford/985315/41 "2023-06-14T23:12:59Z")
The “more approachable” factor certainly appeals to many, including me. But, more importantly, I’ve always been much more attracted to “cute and spunky” over “beautiful and sultry.” I appreciate the aesthetics of beautiful women, but I’m not attracted to them and never cared to get serious with one (though I did date one for a couple of years). I also find asymmetry, and physical quirks attractive. A slight over- (or under-) bite, a space between the 2 front teeth, an upturned or slightly off-to-one-side nose, a mole on one side of the chin, a droopy eye, cauliflower ears…those things I’m attracted to. Some women prefer slightly asymmetrical men, too (e.g. Sly Stallone’s off-kilter mouth). There’s a limit to the amount of asymmetry I like. If one side of your face looks like it belongs to a different person, or appears to be melting off your skull…well…let’s just be friends. If I were a cis woman, I’d prefer slightly asymmetrical Newman over pretty-boy, Redford. But, that being said, a good personality is more attractive than good looks. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2023, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-better-looking-paul-newman-or-robert-redford/985315/42 "2023-06-14T23:28:58Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > I say Newman but it’s a matter of taste really. Yeah; last I checked the voting, the split’s exactly 50-50! To me it basically comes down to “blond or brunet” preference. Redford was a classic “All-American golden boy”, Newman a classic “tall, dark and handsome” (although, as previously noted, not actually particularly tall). Whichever type you prefer, that’s the actor you’ll probably consider better-looking. Has the phrase “wouldn’t kick either one of them out of bed” really not been used yet in this thread? ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2023, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-better-looking-paul-newman-or-robert-redford/985315/43 "2023-06-15T00:49:15Z")
Cis het male. It’s been said in various ways already but Redford was a pretty in a boyish way; Newman was handsome in a manly way. As a man I’d rather be the latter if I could be either. (Meanwhile I’ll settle for my short bald and funny looking!) ---
**Author:** ![Pavelb1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/439d5e/32.png) [@Pavelb1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pavelb1)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2023, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-better-looking-paul-newman-or-robert-redford/985315/44 "2023-06-15T02:43:33Z")
They were both definitely good-looking in their own way. ---
**Author:** ![Pavelb1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/439d5e/32.png) [@Pavelb1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pavelb1)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2023, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-better-looking-paul-newman-or-robert-redford/985315/45 "2023-06-15T02:46:32Z")
Speaking of personality: Travis, Johnny Fever or Venus? Though Travis is probably conventianally better-looking then the other two…I bet he’d come dead-last in a poll every time. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2023, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-better-looking-paul-newman-or-robert-redford/985315/46 "2023-06-15T08:46:19Z")
> [@Pavelb1](#): > > Travis Travis was pretty. Many women are attracted to that type though I don’t understand why. As for personality, Travis was as phony as they come, Johnny would be a lot of fun if you don’t care where you wake-up, so I’d guess Venus would win that contest. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2023, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-better-looking-paul-newman-or-robert-redford/985315/47 "2023-06-15T15:53:20Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Yeah; last I checked the voting, the split’s exactly 50-50!. The Newmanites must be stuffing the ballot box. Redford had held a slight lead for most of the poll’s life and now the positions have reversed. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2023, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-better-looking-paul-newman-or-robert-redford/985315/48 "2023-06-15T17:04:43Z")
Or it’s evidence that Newman actually gets better as time passes. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2023, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-better-looking-paul-newman-or-robert-redford/985315/49 "2023-06-15T17:12:29Z")
I might as well get all my opinions in at once. Young Redford over young Newman, older Newman over older Redford. Mary Ann was not hotter than Ginger, but she had a happier, brighter personality, which adds at least 20% to her score. Jennifer was a Barbie Doll, Bailey was a sleeping volcano ready to erupt, and all the guys knew it… Not only was Andy Travis a pretty man, he was also the straight man (in the context of humor) stuck between two personalities. Now, who was more cool - Frank Sinatra or Deann Martin? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2023, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-better-looking-paul-newman-or-robert-redford/985315/50 "2023-06-15T17:42:41Z")
> [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > Now, who was more cool - Frank Sinatra or Deann Martin? Dean Martin was cooler than Frank as Matt Helm and hosting the Golddiggers, but there was so much more to Frank Sinatra in real life, he had a charming personality that extended past his performing persona. Not all good for either of them but the problems in Sinatra’s life were more well known. Both men were philanthropists and supporters of civil rights, both actively promoted diversity in show business. Looking at everything, it’s Frank. Mostly based on popularity and show business success, that’s not the same as cool although it’s common for cool people. In this case neither one is that much cooler than other. It’s not like they’re competing with McQueen in this contest. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2023, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-better-looking-paul-newman-or-robert-redford/985315/51 "2023-06-15T17:47:11Z")
It’s Redford for me (cit-het woman). Most likely because of _The Natural_. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Paul Newman have a catch. Therefore, Robert Redford wins. I think also Redford has slightly softer, rounder features than Newman. And those EYES. Redford looks a little more like my dad than Newman, perhaps that plays into it as well. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2023, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-better-looking-paul-newman-or-robert-redford/985315/52 "2023-06-17T19:18:33Z")
I asked my wife about this question last night; _Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid_ is one of her all-time favorite films. She said that, if she was able to select between them when they were in their primes, she would go with Redford. She cited that she loved how he looked when he was playing cowboys (a look to which she is particularly attracted), and that she found him to be extremely handsome both as the Sundance Kid, and as the title character in the film _The Electric Horseman_. ---
**Author:** ![Magicalbeck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/48db29/32.png) [@Magicalbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magicalbeck)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2024, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-better-looking-paul-newman-or-robert-redford/985315/53 "2024-02-10T02:59:55Z")
Sinatra was cooler in every way than Dean Martin. He commanded the area, wherever that might be, and they all knew it. Chairman of the Board, Ol’ Blue Eyes, The Voice, The Sultan of Swoon. You don’t get that many nicknames without being the coolest cat daddy alpha male around. Redford vs Newman? No contest. Redford is gorgeous, Newman has unusual eyes. Otherwise a bit scrawny. They’re both good looking men but I’ve never found Newman as sexy as Redford. But he did age pretty well. Young Newman was not a great actor, he acknowledged this. He wasn’t a natural…had to work hard at it. That’s why James Dean beat him out of roles. Jimmy was more of a natural. But for me, Redford is every bit as good an actor as Newman. He’s just more subtle. Newman did learn to become a great actor in his later career. The Verdict is his best performance, in my opinion. I’m new here so I’m late to this !! ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2024, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-better-looking-paul-newman-or-robert-redford/985315/54 "2024-02-10T03:35:24Z")
Welcome. What’s your view on the equally long running apples vs oranges debate? ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2024, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-better-looking-paul-newman-or-robert-redford/985315/55 "2024-02-10T04:18:12Z")
It’s all pretty subjective, obviously. See, I did not think Frank Sinatra was cool at all. But Dean Martin, oh baby, he was my favorite of that era. He was the coolest. Now Robert Mitchum made me swoon with weakness and I was too young to even know why. Him and his bedroom eyes. Whew. Welcome Magicalbeck. I hope you’ll enjoy our little community. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2024, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-better-looking-paul-newman-or-robert-redford/985315/56 "2024-02-10T04:55:18Z")
Paul\> R0bert ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2024, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-better-looking-paul-newman-or-robert-redford/985315/57 "2024-02-10T17:06:57Z")
Robert’s the type to have gotten pinned to the High School head cheerleader. Paul’s the type to have taken the head cheerleader’s loose older sister to the submarine races. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2024, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-better-looking-paul-newman-or-robert-redford/985315/58 "2024-02-10T22:24:03Z")
> [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](#): > > It’s all pretty subjective, obviously. See, I did not think Frank Sinatra was cool at all. But Dean Martin, oh baby, he was my favorite of that era. He was the coolest. Agree. I think it was partly because you could see the twinkle in Martin’s eye. Sinatra had no sense of humor. I met Paul Newman in passing once. He’s a tiny man. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2024, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-better-looking-paul-newman-or-robert-redford/985315/59 "2024-02-10T22:29:42Z")
> [@Nars\_Glinley](#): > > I have had the same conversation with many women that just don’t believe me when I tell them that I honestly can’t judge a man’s attractiveness. It’s really not a macho thing. I just cannot tell. I can tell if they’re well dressed or clean looking but that’s about it. I hear ya. I had a very good friend in the military. He was probably 5’10", thin-lipped, sleepy eyed, full head of hair. Nothing special, in other words. Women swooned over this guy. We would walk through the PX and the women there would be staring at him. He got laid more than anybody I’ve ever known. I never understood what they were drawn to. > [@Magicalbeck](#): > > The Verdict is his best performance, in my opinion. Nah. “Nobody’s Fool” was his crowning achievement. ---
**Author:** ![Capn\_Carl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/838e76/32.png) [@Capn\_Carl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capn_Carl)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2024, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-better-looking-paul-newman-or-robert-redford/985315/60 "2024-02-11T01:31:42Z")
I love that movie, but IMHO, his best performance was much earlier, in _Hud_. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-better-looking-paul-newman-or-robert-redford/985315.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-better-looking-paul-newman-or-robert-redford/985315.md?page=4)