Paul Newman: The Hollywood icon who was also a real race car driver

Paul Newman is the famous actor who was also a race car driver. Beyond his Oscar-winning screen career, Newman built a credible second life in motorsport, earning major results like a runner-up finish at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and multiple SCCA titles, and later co-owning a championship-winning IndyCar team.

Why Paul Newman stands out

Newman’s leap from film sets to pit lanes wasn’t a vanity project. He discovered racing while preparing for the 1969 film “Winning,” then pursued it seriously for decades. He became a fixture in American road racing with Bob Sharp Racing’s Datsun/Nissan program and developed into a respected endurance driver. His résumé—headlined by a 1979 Le Mans podium—earned respect from professionals who judged him by lap times, not celebrity.

Key racing milestones

The list below highlights the milestones that cemented Paul Newman’s standing as more than a celebrity hobbyist—he was a bona fide competitor and influential team owner.

1. Late 1960s: Training for the film “Winning” kindles a serious interest in motorsport that becomes a lifelong pursuit.
2. 1979: Finishes second overall at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in a Porsche 935 with co-drivers Dick Barbour and Rolf Stommelen, one of endurance racing’s highest-profile podiums.
3. 1970s–1980s: Wins multiple SCCA national championships with Bob Sharp Racing, driving Datsun/Nissan machinery across production and GT classes.
4. Endurance credentials: Competes in marquee events such as the Rolex 24 at Daytona across several decades, racing well into later life.
5. 1983 onward: Co-founds Newman/Haas Racing with Carl Haas; the team becomes a powerhouse in CART/Champ Car with titles by Mario Andretti, Michael Andretti, Nigel Mansell, Cristiano da Matta, and Sébastien Bourdais.
6. Lasting respect: Known in paddocks for discipline, fitness, and clean racecraft—qualities that earned him peer recognition separate from his celebrity.

Taken together, these milestones show that Newman’s racing career was sustained, successful, and influential—extending from the driver’s seat to the ownership suite.

Other actors who genuinely raced

While Newman is the archetype, several other actors have built credible motorsport résumés, from endurance racing to off-road and open-wheel feeder series.

• Steve McQueen: Finished second overall at the 1970 12 Hours of Sebring (Porsche 908/02) with Peter Revson; a skilled motorcycle and sports car racer whose passion informed the film “Le Mans.”
• James Dean: A promising amateur in 1955 with class wins and strong finishes in West Coast club races before his fatal road crash en route to a competition.
• Patrick Dempsey: Multiple 24 Hours of Le Mans starts; finished second in GTE Am in 2015 and later won a World Endurance Championship round at Fuji. Co-owner of Dempsey-Proton Racing in the FIA WEC.
• Frankie Muniz: Returned to professional racing after early-2000s open-wheel stints; competed full-time in ARCA Menards Series and has pursued NASCAR opportunities.
• Rowan Atkinson: A dedicated club racer and track-day regular, competing in series such as the Aston Martin Owners Club and appearances at Goodwood events.

These examples underscore that the Hollywood-to-racing pipeline is real—though the depth of commitment and level of success vary widely, with Newman and Dempsey among the most accomplished.

Why acting and racing often intersect

Racing and acting share overlapping demands: intense focus under pressure, preparation, and the pursuit of technical perfection. Film projects can introduce actors to professional driver coaching and track environments, and those with the temperament—and resources—may continue competitively. Endurance racing, in particular, rewards discipline and teamwork, qualities many actors cultivate in their day jobs.

Legacy and impact

Newman’s legacy is twofold: he proved a movie star could be a serious, results-driven competitor, and he helped shape American open-wheel racing through Newman/Haas’s championship era. His dual identity broadened the sport’s audience without trivializing it—earning admiration from fans and fellow drivers alike.

Summary

Paul Newman is the most famous actor who was also a race car driver, with a legitimate competitive record that includes a Le Mans podium, multiple SCCA titles, and a championship-winning IndyCar team. Others—like Steve McQueen, James Dean, Patrick Dempsey, Frankie Muniz, and Rowan Atkinson—also have real racing credentials, but Newman remains the benchmark for celebrity racers who proved themselves on merit.

What celebrity turned into a NASCAR driver?

Frankie Muniz is going to have to put his second career as a racecar driver on hold for a bit. The former “Malcolm In the Middle” and “Agent Cody Banks” actor said Thursday he broke his wrist in a fall from a ladder. He will miss his next NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race and several more weeks after that.

What NASCAR driver was an actor?

The most prominent actor-turned-NASCAR driver is Frankie Muniz, known for his starring role in Malcolm in the Middle. Muniz transitioned from acting to racing in the ARCA Menards Series before becoming a full-time driver in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2025, a culmination of his lifelong passion for motorsports. 
Frankie Muniz’s Journey to NASCAR

• Early Acting Career: Opens in new tabMuniz became a child star known for the hit sitcom Malcolm in the Middle. 
• Shift to Open-Wheel Racing: Opens in new tabAfter his acting career, Muniz began focusing on motorsports, participating in the Atlantic Championship series. 
• Stock Car Racing: Opens in new tabHe moved to stock car racing, competing in the ARCA Menards Series in 2023 and picking up several top-10 finishes. 
• Full-Time NASCAR Driver: Opens in new tabIn 2025, Muniz began his first full-time season as a NASCAR driver in the Craftsman Truck Series. 
• Passion for Cars: Opens in new tabHis love for cars dates back to his childhood, with desires for remote control cars and watching races from a young age. 

Was Paul Newman a professional race car driver?

Yes, Paul Newman was a professional race car driver and team owner, not just an actor who played one. He started racing at 46 and had a successful career for over three decades, winning four SCCA National Championships and co-founding the dominant Newman/Haas Racing team.
 
His Racing Career

• Late Start: Newman began his professional racing career in 1972 after learning to drive for his role in the 1969 film Winning. 
• SCCA Success: He competed for Bob Sharp Racing in the SCCA Trans-Am series and won four SCCA National Championships between 1976 and 1986. 
• International Races: He also achieved significant success in major international races, including a second-place finish at the 1979 24 Hours of Le Mans. 
• Oldest Winner: In 1995, at 70 years old, Newman became the oldest driver to win a major race when he won his class at the 24 Hours of Daytona. 
• Team Owner: He later co-founded Newman/Haas Racing, which became a dominant team in the IndyCar Series. 

Why He Was More Than a Hobbyist

• Serious Dedication: Newman was a serious, skilled, and world-class professional racer. 
• Respect from Peers: He earned the respect of fellow drivers and the racing community. 
• Full-Time Passion: Racing was a second, defining passion for him, almost as significant as his acting career. 

Why did Frankie Muniz switch to NASCAR?

Besides another appearance in the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, Frankie spent the next 10-plus years away from racing. As for why he chose stock cars for his return, he said he had always looked at NASCAR and thought, “Man, I think that would be fun.