Movie legend Paul Newman dies, 83

Newman starred in some 60 films in a career that spanned 55 years

Oscar-winning film legend Paul Newman has died of cancer at the age of 83.

The blue-eyed star of movies like Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid died in his Connecticut home on Friday, surrounded by family and close friends.

A statement from Newman's family said: "His death was as private and discreet as the way he had lived his life."

His Butch Cassidy co-star Robert Redford paid tribute, saying: "There is a point where feelings go beyond words... I have lost a real friend."

SELECT FILMOGRAPHY The Silver Chalice, 1955 Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, 1958 The Hustler, 1961 Hud, 1963 Cool Hand Luke, 1967 (pictured) Rachel Rachel (director), 1968 Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, 1969 The Sting, 1973 The Towering Inferno, 1974 Absence of Malice, 1981 The Verdict, 1982 The Color of Money, 1986 Nobody's Fool, 1994 Road to Perdition, 2002 Cars (voice), 2006

"Paul Newman played many unforgettable roles," they said.

"But the ones for which he was proudest never had top billing on the marquee: Devoted husband, loving father, adoring grandfather, dedicated philanthropist."

In Los Angeles, flowers were to be placed on Newman's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as the Motion Picture Association of America hailed his "extraordinary career."

Retired

The iconic actor starred in some 60 films in a career that spanned five decades.

He was nominated for an Academy Award 10 times - but it took him 33 years to win one, picking up the best actor trophy for The Color Of Money in 1987.

In May 2007, Newman said he was giving up acting because he could no longer perform to the best of his ability.

"I'm not able to work any more... at the level that I would want to," he told US broadcaster ABC.

"You start to lose your memory, you start to lose your confidence, you start to lose your invention.

"So I think that's pretty much a closed book for me."

Earlier this year, he pulled out of directing a stage production of John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men in Connecticut because of unspecified health problems.

'Extraordinary man'

Eulogies for the star have poured in from friends and colleagues around the world.

More tributes to Paul Newman

The thing I remember the most about him is his total lack of ego and his lack of entourage and his lack of hangers-on."

Film star George Clooney said: "He set the bar too high for the rest of us. Not just actors, but all of us."

Oscar-winner Kevin Spacey added: "Paul Newman was a great, humble giant.

The star won a total of three Oscars

"He should be an example to everyone in the acting profession because he seemed to have had his ego surgically removed."

Hit films

Although his handsome looks and piercing blue eyes made him an ideal romantic lead, Newman often played rebels, tough guys and losers.

"I was always a character actor," he once said. "I just looked like Little Red Riding Hood."

His movies included Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, The Hustler, The Sting and Hud.

YOUR MEMORIES His humour, charm, cleverness and above all his humanity could never be copied Felicity Wood, London, UK Send your tributes to Paul Newman

He also appeared with his wife, Joanne Woodward, in several films including Long Hot Summer and Paris Blues. The star later directed his wife in movies such as Rachel, Rachel and The Glass Menagerie.

But his most famous screen partner was undoubtedly Robert Redford, his sidekick in both Butch Cassidy and The Sting.

In addition to his Academy Award for best actor, he was given an honorary Oscar in 1986 "in recognition of his many and memorable compelling screen performances and for his personal integrity and dedication to his craft".

Newman became a professional racing driver and took second place at Le Mans in 1979

His philanthropic efforts included the establishment of summer camps for children who suffered from life-threatening illnesses.

He also donated profits from his Newman's Own food range to a number of charitable organisations.

Newman's last film role was as the voice of Doc Hudson, one of the most famous racing cars in history, in the Pixar animation Cars.

It was perhaps a fitting epitaph for the actor, who had a lifelong fascination with the sport - and put his film career on hold in the 1970s to become a professional racing driver.

He is survived by his wife, five children, two grandsons and his older brother Arthur.

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