June 12, 2008
Agent Denies Paul Newman Dying Of Cancer
Mega-Star's Friends Claim He's Doing Well, But Reports That He's Ill Persist
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Play CBS Video Video Paul Newman In Bad Health? People close to actor Paul Newman have stated that his health is failing. Some are even saying it is cancer. Hattie Kauffman reports.
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** FILE ** In this June 27, 2002 file photo, actor Paul Newman talks about his movie "Road to Perdition," during an interview in Chicago. (AP Photo/Aynsley Floyd)
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Paul Newman, 83, at a New York gala, May 3, 2007 (AP Photo)
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The actor, in a 1964 publicity photo (AP)
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Photo Essay Paul Newman 1925-2008 A Hollywood legend known as much for his generosity as for his bright blue eyes.
Addressing reports that he was fighting cancer, Newman certainly stayed in character: "Newman says he's doing nicely," was the extent of a statement issued by the 83-year-old actor's publicist, Jeff Sanderson.
Newman's agent says the stories that the star is terminally ill with cancer are "not true," according to Early Show national correspondent Hattie Kauffman.
Jeanne Wolf, Parade magazine's West Coast editor told Kauffman, "I've heard many whispers from people intimate with Paul Newman that he's gravely ill, but no one wants to spread the news, because they know how private he is.
"His intimate friends know how ill he is, and so it's kind of an undercurrent of concern more than wanting to spread the news, because everyone knows, the last thing Paul Newman would want is anyone discussing his physical condition."
On Wednesday, a longtime neighbor and business partner confirmed to The Associated Press that Newman told him about the disease about 18 months ago.Photos: Paul Newman
"It's a form of cancer and he's dealing with it," said A.E. Hotchner, a writer who partnered with Newman to start Newman's Own salad dressing company in the 1980s.
Hotchner did not specify what kind of cancer Newman had, but said the actor is in active treatment.
Hotchner said Newman had an operation a few years ago, "somewhere in the area of the lung."
"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."
Hotchner, a longtime friend of Newman's, wavered in his public statements later Wednesday, telling "Access Hollywood" that he had no knowledge of Newman being treated for any illness. He confirmed the cancer report to the Reuters news agency, however.
Hotchner did not return later phone calls Wednesday from the AP. "We stand by our story," the AP said in a statement.
Two other 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."
There were earlier indications that Newman might be struggling with an illness. Recent photos showed the actor appearing gaunt; he dropped plans to direct a play in his Connecticut hometown late last month; and while he attended a practice for the Indianapolis 500 in early May, he wasn't on hand for the Memorial Day weekend race.
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.")
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.
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."
© MMVIII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The secrets of tennis legend 
I will be 60 in November. i refuse to get old or die. I will live forever just to be a thorn in our govt''s side, as they have to the American people. I am a 100% disabled Viernam vet, but i am getting around pretty good. They couldn''t kil me in nam, i won''t let them get me now.
So it was all a lie told by one of his
close friends?
He must have great close friends.
He has an even better agent.
Or is it acting?
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exactly. he media needs to **** mind their own bidness.
Posted by msay3 at 11:10 AM : Jun 12, 2008
Well put - couldn''t have said it better myself.
Posted by beehive21 at 12:29 PM : Jun 12, 2008
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Everyone at +1 second is dying, but you just keep cultivating the delicate ecology of your delusions.
- by jetlizhan June 12, 2008 1:45 PM EDT
- leave paul alone. if he''s sick, that''s his business - media, keep him out of the news!!
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