NEW HAVEN, CONN. -- Paul Newman, the Academy-Award winning superstar who personified cool as an activist, race car driver, popcorn impresario and the anti-hero of such films as "Hud," "Cool Hand Luke" and "The Color of Money," has died. He was 83.

Newman died Friday after a long battle with cancer at his farmhouse near Westport, publicist Jeff Sanderson said. He was surrounded by his family and close friends.

Butch Cassidy is my favorite character.

I don't know which role to pick, since he became my favorite actor in 1958 when I saw "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" and "The Long, Hot Summer" and again in 1959 with "The Young Philadelphians". Remember at the time I was 14/15 years old. But after that, I saw every movie he acted in. So I'd have to say, Ben, Brick & Anthony are my favorite roles.

I had the pleasure of a brief but genuinely personal meeting with Paul once. I can tell you for a fact that his eyes really were a blue I've never seen before or since. He was a world-class gentleman.

I'm very partial to his work in Cool Hand Luke, The Sting, The Color of Money, and The Road to Perdition, but my favorite role to see him in was that of ultra-performance world-class road-race driver. He had an amazing gift. No blue flags in the corners for you now, Paul... put the pedal to the metal and go! Thanks for the memories.

R.I.P.

Thanks for sharing your personal meeting...it verifies what I've always believed about him. Great man! o talented! Thanks for the clip.

Omg, he's dead! I loved that actor! I loved his role in 'cool hand luke'1 He was someone never forgotten! Bless his heart, hope I live that long!

I got to see him once when he was still driving a race car - Bartending Bear is right - those eyes were a brilliant blue.

A great loss.

He was a great actor and an incredible humanitarian... he didn't beat his chest, foam at the mouth or visit certain foreign leaders, but he did donate over $250 million to charity & helped a ton of people in the process.

Incredible man, incredible life, incredible achievements!

RIP!