by Shannonn Kelly

"I want to die at home", Paul Newman told his family in early August, when he learned he had only ‘weeks to live’ after undergoing further treatment for lung cancer.

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of acting legend Paul Newman at age 83.

He died Friday, September 26, 2008, according to his spokeswoman Marni Tomljanovic; surrounded by his family at his New England farmhouse.

Newman was holding the hand of his wife Joanne Woodward when he died. The couple had celebrated 50 years of marriage in January of this year.

Rumors about his health surfaced in January and then in July, he withdrew from directing a production of "Of Mice and Men" in his home town of Westport, Connecticut.

Newman was known to have a great, self-deprecating sense of humor. Early on in his career he was often mistaken for fellow method actor Marlon Brando; so Newman would sign autographs, "Best wishes…Marlon Brando."

One of my favorite Paul Newman humor moments was when the David Letterman Show moved to the Ed Sullivan theater on Broadway in 1993. On opening night, David told the audience that he thought he spotted Paul Newman in the audience. The audience looked around in awe. The camera cut to Paul Newman who stood up and said with a straight face: "Where the hell are the singing cats?"

Watch David Letterman on Monday September 29, 2008, as I’m sure he’ll replay this moment in tribute to Newman’s passing. You can also see a short clip at this link where David and Paul discuss his last race.

He stumped for liberal causes, including Eugene McCarthy’s 1968 presidential candidacy, and earned a spot on Richard Nixon’s enemies list — "the highest single honor I’ve ever received," he said.

In 1982, Newman and his friend A.E. Hotchner founded Newman’s Own , a food company that produced food ranging from pasta sauces to salad dressing to chocolate chip cookies.

"The embarrassing thing is that the salad dressing is out grossing my films," Newman once wryly noted.

To date, the company — which donates all profits to charities such as Newman’s Hole in the Wall camps, has given away over $200 million. Newman established the camp to benefit gravely ill children.

Upon hearing of Newman’s passing, George Clooney said: ‘He set the bar high for the rest of us. Not just actors, but all of us. He will be greatly missed.’

Oscar-winning British director Sam Mendes said working with Newman on Road To Perdition in 2002 had been ‘the highlight of my professional life’. ‘To say he was an extraordinary man would be an understatement.’

Newman retired from acting in 2006 after a 50-year career that included Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958), The Hu stler (1961), Hud (1963), opposite the great Patricia Neal , Cool Hand Luke (1967), Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), The Sting (1971), The Drowning Pool (1975), Slap Shot (1977), The Verdict (1982), Absence of Malice and Fort Apache the Bronx , both 1981 and sentimental favourite Mr. & Mrs. Bridge (1990) with whom he co-starred with his wife, Joanne Woodward.

Newman was nominated for ten Oscars, finally winning "Best Actor" for his role in The Color of Money in 1986, starring opposite Tom Cruise and directed by Martin Scorsese .

If you’d like to watch highlights of Paul Newman’s career, please click on this link .