Born in New York City; educated at the University of Michigan. A former magazine writer and an editor at Esquire, he formed a screenwriting team with Robert Benton that lasted through several plays and screenplays. They wielded an enormous impact with their first films collaboration, BONNIE AND CLYDE (Academy Award nomination 1967), and went on to write several other successful scripts before parting company in the late 1970s when Benton turned to directing. Newman then collaborated (with diminishing success) with others, including his wife, cookbook author and food columnist Leslie Newman. His other efforts include WHAT'S UP DOC? (1972), SUPERMAN I, II & III (1978, 1979, 1983), SANTA CLAUS (1985, story) and TAKEDOWN (2000, a.k.a. "Hackers 2: Takedown").  Nominated for Writing (Best Story and Screenplay written directly for the screen) 1967: BONNIE AND CLYDE (w. Robert Benton) 1 nomination