History may judge him as the greatest actor of his generation, which includes the likes of James Dean and Marlon Brando, but Paul Newman was more than just an actor. He was a gracious gentleman, family man and generous giver of his time and his money.

His death, at age 83 after a long battle with cancer, cast a pall over Hollywood and in his hometown of Westport, Connecticut on Saturday, and his friends, family and colleagues remembered him.

Robert Redford, his co-star in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” and “the Sting” said in a statement: “I have lost a real friend. My life — and this country — is better for his being in it.”

Leonardo DiCaprio told Reuters that news of his death was ”sad and depressing.”

In Westport, at the public library where Newman and his wife of 50 years, Joanne Woodward, were often seen, reference librarian Nancy Clark said she set up a display of all his books, movies and biographies as a tribute. ”We are all terribly sad,” said Nancy Clark, a reference librarian at the Westport Public Library. “Once this sinks in it is going to hit the community terribly.”

But what about you, his fans?

Earlier this past summer when news reports surfaced that Newman’s condition had worsened and his death was near, we received numerous comments on Fan Fare wishing him the best and remembering his impact not just on movies and acting, but on numerous people he helped with his charity. If you have something to say, let us know.

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)