Paul Newman is suffering from cancer, his business partner confirmed earlier this week. Writer A.E. Hotchner, who helped Newman in founding the Newman's Own salad dressing company in the 1980s, claims the actor told him he was diagnosed with the disease 18 months ago.

Hotchner refuses to discuss what form of cancer Newman has, but claims the 83-year-old is undergoing treatment. He said in an interview with the Associated Press, "It's a form of cancer and he's dealing with it." Hotchner adds that Newman had surgery in recent years that "was certainly somewhere in the area of the lung."

But, he insists the Oscar-winner is fighting the disease: "He's battling. He's doing all the right stuff. Paul is a fighter. He seems to be going through a good period right now."

Rumors about Newman's heath problems began circulating earlier this year when The National Enquirer tabloid report suggested the beloved star and humanitarian had just six months to live and was under hospital supervision, but the actor laughed off the rumors, insisting his medical crisis was nothing more than treatment of athlete's foot and "hair loss."

Reports have continued at a rapid pace, culminating with the Los Angeles Times newspaper claiming Newman has been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. This report prompted the actor's publicist to state Newman is "doing nicely." The representative refused to confirm or deny the cancer report.

Newman’s career has been extraordinary. His acting career started in the late 1940s but really took off by the early 1960s, with hits like “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” and “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” which made him a hunk to all the ladies who flocked to his films. Cursed with incredible good looks, Newman had a hard time finding the respect he so craved for his acting ability. He fought with studio chief, Jack Warner, at Warner Bros., as did other WB stars over the years. He was nominated for seven Academy Awards before receiving an Honorary Oscar in 1986 and then surprising the Academy, and himself, by winning the next year for “The Color of Money.” In 1994, Newman received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award and, since then, has received two more Oscar nominations.

Newman has done incredible charity work over the years, and with his Newman’s Own food line, he’s helped many underprivileged children by continuing to sponsor a summer camp in Connecticut each year. In 2006, Newman was open about not wanting to work anymore, saying at the time that it was difficult to memorize lines and he didn’t want to fade on the screen and become a joke. Newman, however, continued his racing and lives in New York and Connecticut with his actress wife, Joanne Woodward. The couple has been married for 50 years.

Happy Father's Day, Paul, and get well soon.