娱乐英语新闻：Longtime friend: Paul Newman battling cancer

BEIJING, June 12 -- Paul Newman has always been a fiercely private man, shunning the trappings of fame wrought by his Hollywood career while immersing himself in auto racing, philanthropy and a multimillion-dollar food business.

    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.

    On Wednesday, a longtime neighbor and business partner confirmed that Newman told him about the disease about 18 months ago.

File photo of 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.

    There were earlier indications that Newman might be struggling with an illness.

    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."

    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."