Paul Newman died last Friday. It's awful that I have to type that. He was 83, a grandpa -- a great-grandpa, actually. But Newman always struck me more as a favorite uncle: he was more approachable. I discovered Paul Newman because I was a Tom Cruise fan growing up. Top Gun ruled and then Cruise was with this old-timer in a pool movie. Cool. And hey, who was this director?

My dad was a fan of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid which pretty much meant I became one too. I watched The Verdict in my elementary years but I didn't really love it until I was in high school. Not enough gunfire or pool tables. One thing was always clear, however. This guy, this blue-eyed handsome fella is revered, and his performances command respect from those who call themselves movie buffs. Yes, I'm a movie buff and I loved Paul Newman.

A few months ago I was watching The Young Philadelphians with my girlfriend and we were talking about what it would be like when the old man is no longer around. This past weekend, of course, I found out. And while I know this may seem silly to some people (you know, people without souls), it hurt. I mean, I don't just love his movies ... I love the guy's salad dressing. How many guys can you say that about? Give me Sockarooni pasta sauce or give me nothing. The point is he's been a staple in my life. Paul Newman just is. Was.

Everybody has been paying tribute to the actor and I really wanted to write a few words about my favorite performance. The more I thought about it though, the harder it was to pinpoint. This is a guy who is almost always great in anything he appears in. For example, Twilight is an average movie, but he's hardly average in it. If you haven't seen Nobody's Fool (and chances are good you haven't), you're missing one of the most charming performances by the late, great actor.

There are maybe some scenes that are more powerful than his "I'm glad it was you" moment in Road to Perdition, but not many. I think of his brilliant "sure, sure!" work in The Hudsucker Proxy. I think of his hilarious scenes with Robert Shaw in The Sting. His career-defining roles in The Hustler, Cool Hand Luke and The Verdict. And I just can't choose.

So I'm stuck here in grand tributeville and it's not a place I like to be. A gushing writer doesn't always make for an interesting read. But what am I supposed to say? He was great. I will miss him. I really will. But I get to visit him whenever I want. It's just a matter of where.

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Dre writes two times a week for Film.com. Email him!

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