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Paul Newman's longtime neighbor and business partner has confirmed that the Hollywood legend is battling cancer, the Associated Press reports. Writer A.E. Hotchner, who teamed with Newman to start Newman's Own salad dressing company in the 1980s, said the iconic actor told him about the disease about 18 months ago. The exact nature of the cancer was unspecified, though Hotchner said Newman underwent an operation a few years ago that was "certainly somewhere in the area of the lung." Hotchner added, "He's doing all the right stuff. Paul is a fighter. He seems to be going through a good period right now."
Various media outlets have speculated that the 83-year-old Oscar winner, who's appeared gaunt in recent photos, is dying of lung cancer. Newman himself issued a statement June 10th saying he was "doing nicely," but didn't directly address the issue. Two other friends said he appeared to be on the upswing. Actor James Naughton, who spoke to Newman on Monday June 9th, remarked, "I think he's feeling quite well. As far as I can tell he's doing very well." Michael Brockman, partner in Newman's other passion, auto racing, said he thought Newman was doing better, adding, "I think he looks great. I wish I looked that good."
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