Actor Paul Newman, 83, has long kept his health a closely guarded secret, so when a report surfaced on Friday that he was gravely ill and had gone home to die, the headline was met with some skepticism.
After all, back in June when reports began to surface that he was stricken with cancer, Newman responded through a spokesman that he was “doing nicely.” The next day his friend A.E. Hotchner, who co-founded Newman’s Own food products, told Reuters that Newman had cancer. Hotchner said he did not know what kind of cancer it was.
On Friday, the British tabloid Daily Mail published a story saying Newman had finished chemotherapy treatment for cancer and had only weeks to live. The story cited “a close family friend” as saying “Paul didn’t want to die in the hospital” and had gone home.
On Monday, Newman’s spokesman would say only ”no comment” about the story, and it seems no other news about the Oscar winner’s condition has surfaced since Friday.
It is interesting to note that in dealing with comedian Bernie Mac’s recent hospitalization with pneumonia, his spokeswoman said last Thursday that Mac was ”responding well to treatment” and in “stable condition.” Two days later, on Saturday, Mac died.
So, how sick is Newman? It’s anybody’s guess.
Newman has appeared in some 60 movies, including “The Color of Money,” “Cat On a Hot Tin Roof” and “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.” Newman hit his stride in Hollywood during the 1950s and 60s when he was known for portraying brooding characters or tricksters. He won the best actor Oscar for “The Color of Money,” and he has received one other honorary award and an humanitarian award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which gives out the Oscars.
Outside acting, Newman has been an accomplished race car driver and businessman who is the face of the Newman’s Own food products.
(Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis)
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I’m so sorry to hear Abouut your husband and father;
- Posted by cherylMy prays are with each one of you all.
May GOD BE With you all at this time
A sad day. A great actor and a great man. My prayers to his family and friends. Thank you Paul for your great body of work, both on the screen and off.
Goodbye
- Posted by MicheleThe world will mourn with the family and close friends of Paul Newman. We are thankful for the legacy of work, on screen and off, which we will still have.
Thank you, Paul! And goodbye…
- Posted by LeslieI am saddened by the news of Mr. Paul Newman’s passing. He was and always will be remembered for his generosity, passion for all of his charitable work, a great actor and a kind and gentle human being. You will be missed but NEVER FORGOTTEN. My deepest Sympathy to Joanne, Elinor, Melissa, Clea, Susan, Stephanie, Arthur and family.
- Posted by KarenThis is very sad news, I will miss him forever.
- Posted by LouisaYou have been my heartthrob since I was able to watch late movies and it was a tear in my heart when I read that you have gone to the next plato.You are an outstanding man and you have been the greatest father and husband that I could ever imagine. Thank you Mr. Newman for adding so much more to this life I’ve had on earth. Thank you for sharing yourself with all of us. The girls that awed you and the guys that smiled and wanted to be just like you.
- Posted by Brenda GantYou Rock!!!!!!
Lately I’ve been saying I want Paul Newman to outlive me, because I don’t want to mourn him. It would hurt too much, and it does. When I was a teenager at the movies one time, there were several girls down front discussing male movie stars. After naming a few, one of them said: “and then….there’s Paul Newman”. What more can be said? I have been looking at a picture posted by my computer, and every day I tell him: Don’t you dare die! Don’t you dare! There is no one like Paul Newman.
- Posted by Edna King-MillerI am so saddened to hear that Paul Newman is not very well. I have always admired him and his wife for all they have done and the family values they have. Even though I would like to hear more about his health and how he is I also know that there is a time for the public to be involved and having privacy of their own at this time. I wish only the best for Paul and his wife.
- Posted by Rita Kubatyou are in my prayers.
Dearest Mr. Newman and family,
- Posted by Teresa TruebloodMy occupation has been as an art teacher so I am just who I am. Mr. Newman you have been so much to so many. I was a small child when I would watch your movies and cry and cry. My ggrandmother was Miami Indian and we had a des-perate time surviving sometimes. My daddy looked like you, and he worked 3 jobs just as you did I am sure. You expressed the pain and success of reality, when very few were. Your streghth in real life was so fabulously transferred to your movies. We saw the kind of person you really were.Thank you Mr. Newman. You gave me strenghth many times. May Yahweh give you and your family strenghth at this time of your trail and need. You have helped immeasurably with your charity work.
I know our Father in heaven loves all of his children.
I pray for your recovery,
Teresa Trueblood.
Paul Newman, I s a great actor and always has been. He deserves his privacy. He must know how much his fans care for him. He doesn’t want us to see him this way. He is a great family man. His wife is great also. God Bless you Paul.
- Posted by Janice RedmondDear Mr. Newman;
- Posted by Joanne KulierI just wanted to tell you that I have always loved your movies and everything that you have done and are still doing. My 88 year old Dad just died a couple of months ago and he always reminded me of you. You two looked so much alike … I was so lucky. I am sure you will live a long time….but you should be so happy with your life. You made me a happy person anytime one of your movies came out. Thanks again for everything…stay well…Joanne Kulier
Paul Newman is alive in the hearts of race fans across the nation. Our first son’s name is Mark (after Mark Donohue), and our second son’s name is Paul. Paul Newman did race, but I must disagree with Mr. Rocco. He did not race for himself. He raced for every disabled, disenfranchised, unloved, uncared for child in his country. Keep racing dear Paul, and I promise, we will keep caring for your concerns.
- Posted by Trudy WilliamsI am a fan of pauls and had the distinct honor of meeting the man one on one in the garages at pocono raceway early one morning and talked with the man like i had known him for years not many people will ever know and understand his passion for motorsports like i know but believe me it is rare and genuine he raced for himself and nothing else it was his love! I will miss him greatly and so will so many others.SRB
- Posted by Sal RoccoCarl Haas might have had a “slip of the tongue” today at the victory interview after the Detroit race. When asked about Paul Newman, Carl said, “I’m sure he is in Heaven, watching the race and is very happy.” That certainly sounds like Mr. Newman has died. What do you think?
8-31-2008
- Posted by Priscilla