Paul Newman battling cancer

Danny Tse

From here....

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Paul Newman, the legendary actor and philanthropist, is battling cancer, his longtime neighbor and business partner said Wednesday.

Newman, 83, has recently appeared gaunt in photos, and dropped plans to direct a play in his Connecticut hometown. Writer A.E. Hotchner, who partnered with Newman to start Newman's Own salad dressing company in the 1980s, said the actor told him about the disease about 18 months ago. He did not specify what kind of cancer, but said Newman is in active treatment.

"I know that it's a form of cancer," Hotchner told The Associated Press. "It's a form of cancer and he's dealing with it."

Newman issued a statement late Tuesday that he's "doing nicely" but didn't specifically address questions about cancer. A call was placed to his spokesman Wednesday seeking comment.

The Oscar winner appeared to have lost weight when he was photographed during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race last month. Martha Stewart, in an entry dated June 6, posted a photo on her blog of herself with the actor, who looked thin, at a luncheon to benefit the Hole in the Wall Gang camps for critically ill children. (The Hole in the Wall Gang was led by Newman's affable outlaw character, Butch, in the 1969 film "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.")

Newman won an Oscar for his leading role in 1986's "The Color of Money." His screen credits also include "Hud," "Cool Hand Luke," "The Verdict" and "Road to Perdition."

Hotchner said Newman had an operation a few years ago. "It was certainly somewhere in the area of the lung," he said.

"He's battling," Hotchner said. "He's doing all the right stuff. Paul is a fighter. He seems to be going through a good period right now."

Asked about his prognosis, Hotchner said, "Everybody is hopeful. That's all we know."

In 1982, Hotchner and Newman started a company to market Newman's original oil-and-vinegar dressing. Newman's Own, which began as a joke, grew into a multimillion-dollar business selling popcorn, salad dressing, spaghetti sauce and other foods. All the company's profits are donated to charities. By 2007, the company had donated more than $200 million, according to its Web site.

Last month, officials at Connecticut's Westport Country Playhouse cited unspecified health issues when they announced that Newman would not direct "Of Mice and Men" this fall.

Newman lives in Westport with his wife, Joanne Woodward.

Two friends said Tuesday that Newman appeared to be doing well.

"I think he's feeling quite well," said actor James Naughton, who spoke to Newman on Monday night. "As far as I can tell he's doing very well."

Newman had an infection over the winter, but seems to have that under control, Naughton said. He was lively at this month's Hole in the Wall Gang camp fundraiser, he said.

Michael Brockman, Newman's racing team partner, said Newman told him recently that he wants to get back into his race car for a test run and possibly another competition. His last race was last fall, he said.

"I think he's doing better than he was," Brockman said, noting that Newman had regained most of the weight he had lost.

"I think he looks great," said Brockman, who saw Newman last weekend. "I wish I looked that good."

Brockman called Newman "one of the best guys I ever met."

"He's just a regular guy," Brockman said. "He's humble."

Get well soon, Mr. Newman.

bobman1235

Probably my favorite actor (and a great human being on top of it).


Get well soon.

F1nut

Best wishes. The man is a class act.

Jstas

When I read or hear this I don't picture a sick dude. I picture him with a sword and shield battling this big blob wearing like a t-shirt or something that says CANCER.

janmike

Good well soon Mr. N. Always liked him right from "The Hustler".

Danny Tse

Sorry to bring sad news....

Paul Newman reportedly has weeks to live, prepares to die at home

bigaudiofanatic

another pesron going to die man what a crappy week

HiPerf360

I met the man a few times on pit road during the '05 Rolex 24, the man is truly a class act. It is sad that stars like this are so hard to find now

avelanchefan

Love Newman, especially his role's in Empire Falls and Nobody's Fool. I loved the character Sully, he reminds me so much of my own father. It's a Thanksgiving Day movie that we watch together as a family every year.

tonyb

One of the few,which the world would be a better place if there were more like him.

My wife asked me once to name someone who you would associate the word"integrity" with.I said Paul Newman,Bob Hope.Maybe Andre Agassi from the tennis world.Then she said,they must be alive today,knocked out my Bob Hope.Ya know,it's pretty damn hard.She claims "Bono"......Never the less, Newman has been the poster child for class,integrity.I wish todays youth would hold up on a pedestal,more guys like him,instead of the boneheads they look up to today.

janmike

Great actor. Get well soon Mr. N.