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Susan Kendall Newman, the daughter of Paul Newman and star of The Beatles tribute film “I Wanna Hold Your Hand,” has died. She was 72.

Susan died of complications from chronic health conditions on Aug. 2, her family announced.

“Susan Kendall Newman will be remembered for her sharp wit and tongue, generosity and love, and her devotion to family and friends,” the family said. “She will be very much missed.”


  Susan Kendall Newman was known for her role in the Beatles tribute film “I Wanna Hold Your Hand.” Sygma via Getty Images Susan Kendall Newman was known for her role in the Beatles tribute film “I Wanna Hold Your Hand.” Sygma via Getty Images

  Paul Newman and daughter Susan Kendall Newman at the 35th Anniversary Awards Banquet in 1973 at the University of Southern California. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images Paul Newman and daughter Susan Kendall Newman at the 35th Anniversary Awards Banquet in 1973 at the University of Southern California. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

The late actress, whose mother was Paul’s first wife, Jackie Witte, began her career in on- and off-Broadway productions, including Jerry Adler’s 1975 show “We Interrupt This Program,” which only lasted seven outings.

In 1978, Susan played one of six teenagers who try to sneak their way into The Beatles’ first performance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” in February 1964 in Robert Zemeckis’ “I Wanna Hold Your Hand.”


  Susan Kendall Newman in “I Wanna Hold Your Hand.” ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection Susan Kendall Newman in “I Wanna Hold Your Hand.” ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection

  From left: Marc McClure, Wendie Jo Sperber, Theresa Saldana, Nancy Allen, Bobby Di Cicco, Susan Kendall Newman in the 1978 movie “I Wanna Hold Your Hand.” ©United Artists/Courtesy Everett Collection From left: Marc McClure, Wendie Jo Sperber, Theresa Saldana, Nancy Allen, Bobby Di Cicco, Susan Kendall Newman in the 1978 movie “I Wanna Hold Your Hand.” ©United Artists/Courtesy Everett Collection

  Paul Newman and Susan Kendall Newman during a break while filming “I Wanna Hold Your Hand.” Bettmann Archive Paul Newman and Susan Kendall Newman during a break while filming “I Wanna Hold Your Hand.” Bettmann Archive

The comedy film marked Zemeckis’ feature film directorial debut and was the first movie to ever be executive-produced by Steven Spielberg.

The cast also featured Nancy Allen, Bobby Di Cicco, Marc McClure, Theresa Saldana, Wendie Jo Sperber, Eddie Deezen, Christian Juttner and Will Jordan.

Susan had a role as a pharmacist in the 1977 sports comedy “Slap Shot,” starring her dad as a minor league ice hockey coach. She also appeared in Robert Altman’s 1978 satirical comedy-drama “A Wedding,” starring Desi Arnaz Jr., Carol Burnett and Geraldine Chaplin.


  Susan Kendall Newman played Janis Goldman, a folk music fan, in “I Wanna Hold Your Hand.” ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection Susan Kendall Newman played Janis Goldman, a folk music fan, in “I Wanna Hold Your Hand.” ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection

In 1980, Susan produced an ABC Theatre presentation of Michael Cristofer’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play “The Shadow Box.”

The adaptation was directed by her father and starred her stepmother, Joanne Woodward.

Susan received an Emmy Award nomination for producing “The Shadow Box” for television.

She was also nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for Children for producing a family-friendly audiobook series of classical literature for Simon & Schuster.


  From left: Paul Newman, Susan Kendall Newman and Joanne Woodward at the “2001: A Space Odyssey” New York screening in 1968. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images From left: Paul Newman, Susan Kendall Newman and Joanne Woodward at the “2001: A Space Odyssey” New York screening in 1968. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

  Paul Newman and daughter Susan Kendall Newman at the LA Times/Toyota Grand Prix in April 1981. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images Paul Newman and daughter Susan Kendall Newman at the LA Times/Toyota Grand Prix in April 1981. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

  Susan Kendall Newman in 1978. Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images Susan Kendall Newman in 1978. Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

Outside of her work in Hollywood, Susan was a lifelong philanthropist and social activist. She worked closely with the Scott Newman Foundation, Paul’s nonprofit aimed at combating substance abuse.

Paul founded the organization in honor of his son, Scott, who died of a drug overdose in 1978.

As a drug abuse prevention expert, Susan frequently spoke at the Betty Ford Center and the Annenberg Complex, as well as at universities, hospitals, community groups and government bodies across the US as well as in Canada, Australia and Mexico.


  Susan Kendall Newman at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles in March 1983. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images Susan Kendall Newman at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles in March 1983. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Susan also worked with the California Department of Education and helped oversee the creation of the video “Drug Free Kids: A Parent’s Guide,” which helped parents recognize and address substance abuse.

Susan’s parents were married from 1949 to 1958 and had two other children, son Scott and daughter Stephanie, 71. Witte died at age 64 in 1994.

Shortly after his divorce from Witte, Paul got married to Woodward, 95, and they had three daughters together: Elinor “Nell,” 66, Melissa “Lissy,” 64, and Claire “Clea,” 60.

The couple remained married until Paul’s death at age 83 in 2008.

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