After his debut broadway appearance in "Picnic" (1953), Paul Newman was offered a film contract by Warner Brothers. Alas, his first role, as an ancient Greek sculptor {named Basil} in the 1954 costume epic The Silver Chalice, was nearly his last.

So regrettable did he deem his performance that Newman took out a full page ad in Variety -- in which he apologized to movie goers and offered to refund their money.

[Fortunately his next role, as boxer Rocky Graziano, was a considerable success, drawing raves from the critics. It's apt title? Somebody Up There Likes Me (1956).]

[Newman was the visual inspiration for the original illustrations of the Green Lantern.]