Cancer: Paul Newman's Friend Confirms Ill, Newman Turns Over $120 Million To Charity

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — A longtime neighbor and business partner of Paul Newman has told The Associated Press the 83-year-old actor is battling cancer.

Writer A.E. Hotchner, who partnered with Newman to start Newman's Own salad dressing company in the 1980s, says Newman told him about the disease about 18 months ago. He doesn't say what kind of cancer.

Concerns about Newman's health have been circulating for months. Last month, officials at Connecticut's Westport Country Playhouse cited unspecified health issues when they announced that Newman wouldn't direct "Of Mice and Men" this fall.

In response to reports of Newman's illness, the actor's spokesman issued a statement Tuesday saying that Newman is "doing nicely." The statement doesn't specifically address cancer.

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Fox News reports:

Movie star Paul Newman has quietly turned over the entire value of his ownership in Newman's Own -- the company that makes salad dressing and cookies -- to charity.

Completed over a two-year period in 2005 and 2006, the amount of his donations to Newman's Own Foundation Inc. comes to an astounding $120 million.

This is unprecedented for any movie star or anyone from what we call Hollywood. Of course Newman and actress wife Joanne Woodward have never been Hollywood types. They've lived their lives quietly in Westport, Conn., for the last 50 years. (They were married in January 1958. And people said it wouldn't last!)

This column learned about this extraordinary gift as news started coming out recently about Newman's battle

Newman in May:

Comments

[jneems]

The man looks great for 83: lean, fit, active, and youthful in appearance. I sure hope these things combined will help his body overcome this. The guy only deserves the best.

[sustainable]

ditto

[franksters]

triple that

[lildee]

Mr Newman, my heart goes out to you. I loved all your movies You have lived a gracious life. Blessings to you and yours for all your help and sharing.
You always reminded me of my dad who is also your exact age. I worry about losing him. Please remember there are many that love you!

[acudoc]

Bravo, Paul.....you are an inspiration. Despite the spotlight, you never lost sight of what is important in life.
I salute you as face the final stage of life.

[truthyguy]

There is a man about whom it can be said that in each phase of his life he made a concerted effort to live every moment to the fullest . It should be an example for everyone. Life is too short by any measure to waste parts of it.

[wedgie]

Paul Newman's camps for kids with life threatening illnesses have taught him a lot about cancer and how people, often children, deal with it and, beat it.

He is a man of amazing heart and courage. Whatever happens, Mr. Newman will be surrounded by love and an extended family that criss crosses the globe.

**

[sherbug]

I am a huge fan of Paul Newman. I have probably seen every movie heever made. I can't say which one is my favorite because there are so many. The Young Philadelphians, Cool Hand Luke, The Hustler, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and on and on.

I hate to hear this terrible news. God bless, Mr. Newman.

[MyGuyO]

Mr. Newman,
I will never forget your star quality. You have given the world so much. How can we ever forget your big movies~Butch Cassidy and theSundance Kid, Hud, The Hustler to name a few. You are a class act, both you and your wife.
Please be well... from a huge fan of yours.

[BroMan]

Thank you, Mr. Newman, and Ms. Woodward too, for your magnanimous gesture. It's a wonderful example of "how much is too, much... how can I make my millions benefit humanity?" Most people in your station find themselves hard presed to give up a mil. Wow.

Best wishes to you and here's hoping that whatever your ailment will be treated in the best, most humane way that today's technology allows.

[cae]

Paul! Do you get the message? We all love you and hope you'll be feeling better soon!

[BatedBreath]

How very sad. He and his wife should be role models for all celebs. Instead we get britney and paris.

[Brebro]

He and Joanne Woodward have been a great example of a good marriage. Thanks Joanne and Paul!

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.simonsays.com/assets/isbn/0743288424/V01_0743288424.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.simonsays.com/content/book.cfm%3Ftab%3D1%26pid%3D518202%26agid%3D4&h=527&w=400&sz=278&tbnid=pcUWwgA8T88J:&tbnh=132&tbnw=100&prev=/images%3Fq%3Djoanne%2Bwoodward&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=1&ct=image&cd=2

[NABNYC]

I love Paul Newman. One of the greatest American film actors ever -- not just of his generation, but ever. And one of the most handsome men who ever walked this earth. Exodus, The Hustler, Hud, Hombre, Cool Hand Luke, From the Terrace, The Towering Inferno, The Verdict, Butch Cassidy, the Sting. So many of his films have scenes that have never left me -- like in the Verdict, when he is terrified and hiding in the bathroom. Just remarkable.

And of course the best of all is that he has spent most of his life trying to help others less fortunate, and trying back to his profession by helping younger people. One of the good guys, and he's on our side.

[shroomingnewman]

taking it off here, boss!

[Progress08]

He is without a doubt one the voices and faces I will miss. I can't remember a movie of his that I didn't love.

It stinks that we might lose someone like him. We really need more people like him and Joann Woodward in this world.

[Dansden]

What a MAGNANIMOUS and GRACIOUS SPIRIT AMONG US- PAUL NEWMAN!

His quiet humility, creative vision and enduring character has been a model of couage, veracity and care for life for ALL AMERICANS! A man ahead of his time- truly, A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS!

The dignity in which he cares for the best of our nation's resources, the intensity of which he gave to his craft as an artisan and the humility that he gives to the global community is why a nation calls him: BLESSED! Blessed in the way his life BLESSES others!