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

[Promise]

A totally lovely human being, a terrific, charming, talented actor, absolutely gorgeous and sexy, funny, smart, a loyal husband, loving father, hugely generous, and makes terrific cookies....What more can you say about this guy? A role model and inspiration for all of us. Thank you Paul, for being on the planet at this time! My prayers for you and your family. Get well!

[frankel1205]

He's gorgeous, brilliant, humble and generous. Paul Newman is the personification of Movie Star....a true American hero. He is a legend and is loved for the ages.

[ErnestineBass]

Cool Hand Luke.

'Nuff said.

[dora rice]

I loved all the movies he played with his wife.

[GiannaX]

He and Redford were AWESOME together!

[Collielady]

The only thing more beautiful than his eyes, is his heart.

[dora rice]

the coolest greatest guy in Hollywood, a real actor and a wonderful human being. He understood how to live a great life without the fan fare of Hollywood. I don't think i missed one Paul Newman movie his wife is just as real. Wonderful people. We are proud to have watched them aging as the years went by.

[alexunlv]

I envy you Paul. You shall have a wonderful death. Something to celebrate indeed. How I wish more of us could accomplish in life what you have accomplished. Death is but an honor in your case.

[se7enMMBsg]

WTF????????

[6WaysToSunday]

In our polarized environment, acts of kindness and compassion seem so rare anymore. Thank God for Paul Newmans and Joanne Woodwards of the world. Godspeed to both of you.

[ShockandAutism]

What a great human being.

[dattexas]

I love you, Paul. Get well. Oh, and you're still hot as hell!!!

[kellygrrrl]

I had the pleasure of meeting Paul Newman a few years back
he actually sat and talked with me
we talked about allergies and the power of native honey

he was one of the few people I met at that time who understood propolis and the amazing immunities in regional honey.

we laughed that we both used to order native honey from any foreign land we were planning to travel to

a brilliant man

[ErnestineBass]

Dangit, grrrl, I am so jealous! Paul and Joanne are two of the most beautiful people ever!

As for honey...can't live without it!

[Chumleysmom]

Always a class act, on screen and off.

[kellygrrrl]

A great and beautiful soul!

thank you Paul and Joanne, for making this world a better place.

[woundedduck]

It sucks to see him sick, but if anyone had a good run at life, it was him.

[veracity]

Thanks, Mr. Newman, for your great silver screen presence. Your role as Cool Hand Luke showed us just how inhuman and repressive authority and people can be... and how indominable the human spirit can be. You showed us how a sense of humor, a smile, and concern for those less forturnate in life are the true measures of character and greatness. Truly a screen icon we could respect and admire, both on and off screen.

[Melissa]

What an absolute fabulous man. I saw him perform on broadway in the 60's in "Sweet Bird of Youth", it was a wonderful night. I wish him the very best.

[Davwbaird]

Let's elect Obama in honor of Paul Newman.

[isis]

He is a great guy and his products are wonderful.