Paul Newman's Friends Announce that He's Battling Cancer

"In June 2008 it was widely reported that Newman, a former chain smoker, had been diagnosed with lung cancer in January of that year. Newman's spokesman told the press that the star is "doing fine", but did not deny that he has 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"

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LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Actor Paul Newman told friends as far back as 18 months ago that he was battling cancer but has remained energetic and active in charity work, a friend and business associate said on Wednesday.

Writer A.E. Hotchner, who co-founded Newman's Own food products with the actor, told Reuters that Newman, 83, was doing fine as of two weeks ago. Asked if Newman had cancer, Hotchner said "he made it known to a lot of his friends."

Hotchner, who lives near Newman and his wife, actress Joanne Woodward, in Westport, Connecticut, said he did not know what type of cancer Newman had because "I don't believe it's any of my business and I don't want to get into it."

The widely acclaimed actor of films such as "The Color of Money" and "The Sting" on Tuesday responded to a flurry of unconfirmed media reports that he was gravely ill with cancer by issuing a terse statement saying he was "doing nicely."

His Los Angeles-based spokesman Jeff Sanderson declined to elaborate and on Wednesday was not immediately available to comment.

According to numerous reports, Newman has been diagnosed with lung cancer and was undergoing outpatient treatment at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. A spokeswoman for Sloan-Kettering has said she had no information about whether Newman was a patient there.

Last month, Newman stepped down as director of a stage play of John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men" at the Westport Country Playhouse in Connecticut, citing unspecified health issues.

STILL 'ENERGETIC'

Hotchner said Newman remains involved in his charitable Hole In the Wall Gang Camp for children with cancer. Two weeks ago Newman auctioned off items at an event in Connecticut to raise money for the camps.

"He was there and energetic," Hotchner said, adding that he sees Newman about every two weeks.

"He's an automobile racer, he's always willing to get out there and hit the pack," Hotchner said. "He has all kinds of projects. He's busy with the camp."

The actor used profits from Newman's Own to found the camps, which are named after a gang in his 1969 movie "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid." Since its creation in 1982, Newman's Own, which makes salad dressings, sauces and other food products, has donated more than $200 million to charity.