Newman's friend says he was misquoted

LOS ANGELES, June 12 (UPI) -- A.E. Hotchner, Paul Newman's longtime friend and business partner, said a media report misquoted him as saying the Hollywood film icon is battling cancer.

Rumors began swirling when Newman, 83, canceled several appearances and also said he wouldn't direct a stage production of "Our Town" as planned due to an unspecified illness.

While Newman's agent has said reports that Newman is suffering from terminal lung cancer aren't true and his publicist said he is "doing nicely," another report surfaced quoting Hotchner as saying Newman was suffering from "a form of cancer" and stating "he's dealing with it."

But Hotchner, who helped establish the actor establish the Newman's Own brand of products, as well as The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp charity, later told "Access Hollywood" he was misquoted in the widely circulated article.

"I saw him last week and he seemed fine," Hotchner told "Access Hollywood." "I have no knowledge of any diagnosis or doctors. ... The AP misquoted me. I have no knowledge of Mr. Newman being treated for any illness."