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

[fcsakes]

God bless you Mr. Newman. A class act from Day One.

[111]

Bravo, Paul, Bravo!!!!!!!

[lewes17266]

Paul Newman is my ideal man. I kept a picture of him in my laundry room for years.

[Darwin48]

Class Act.

[lovethesinner]

Paul Newman: a great actor, a great American, but most important, a great human being.

[ibsteve2u]

Wonder what America would be like today, if way back in 1980 the Dems would have seen the Reagan and raised the Repugs a Newman?

Good health and a long, happy life, Mr. Newman.

[ChicagoBob]

!

I kind of think of Paul as being immortal. If not in body, then in the hearts and memories of his fans, of which I am one. What a life, what a legacy. Let's hope it continues for years to come.

Thank you, Paul Newman, for so many good, entertaining movies and for being such a stand-up guy.

No matter what, I will continue to be a loyal customer of "Newman's Own."

!

[liberalissima]

I have been and always will be a Newman's own customer. No one is inmortal, but Pul Newman, I was hoping he will be the exception. Love your presence in the movies, and your class act in real life.

[PierreLeClerke]

The greatest leader must be the most humble servant. I pray for humility and a deep abiding yearning to serve in anyone that is called to this once noble task.

[PierreLeClerke]

Well done! Good and faithful servant.

[Kalima]

I had not heard that he was ill and I'm sorry that he is. He has been a favourite of mine
for many years. I wish him and his family well. I think he is a fighter. Good luck Paul
Newman, get well and thank you for so many memorable films.

[irv]

the verdict, somebody up there likes me, the sting. you must expand that list. this man is a great actor. he is, more importantly, a great humanitarian.

[marco34la]

A truly remarkable guy! The world is a better place because people like Paul Newman are in it!
Thank you!!!

[Counterglow]

I've had occasion to meet a number of celebrities through my work and where I happened to live. I'm not much for writing to them or about them, and I have never understood people who gush and squeal and use their first names, as though they actually know them.

Paul Newman is an exception. In a world where so many "stars" have huge egos, limited talent and a nasty streak a mile wide, Newman has simply gone about his life quietly doing what's right. He has earned my respect, and if I can do even a fraction of the good work has has done through his charities, I will count my life as well-lived.

I wish him every good thing, and offer my sincere hope for his complete recovery and a long, happy life.

[LIBERALandProudOfIt]

I don't think he'd mind if he heard me say about him; "One hell of a great guy!"

My wife always said that he was one of 3 men that she would leave me for. After 27 years of marriage, that number has now risen to more than a million, but Paul Newman still leads the pack! :)

[mamacat]

I had the pleasure of meeting him and his wife, many years ago. I truly charming man, a delightful actor, an inspirational philanthropist, and a good driver, to boot.
Interesting, that he and his wife have been together for so many years, longer than most of the new batch of actors have even been alive.
We tend to forget that there are some really great people in Hollywood, Mr. Newman among them.
I think that he is a person who most people would be thrilled to know, even if he were not a famous personality.
One of the memorable moments of my too brief life, meeting him and his wife.