Actor, director, and philanthropist Paul Newman is battling cancer, his longtime neighbor and business partner said Wednesday.

A.E. Hotchner, who partnered with Newman to start Newman’s Own salad dressing company in the 1980s, said the 83-year-old actor told him about the disease about 18 months ago. He doesn’t say what kind of cancer but said Newman is in active treatment.

“I know that it’s a form of cancer,” Hotchner said. “It’s a form of cancer, and he’s dealing with it.”

Newman issued a statement late Tuesday that said he’s “doing nicely” but didn’t specifically address questions about cancer. A call was placed to his spokesman Wednesday seeking comment.

In 1982, Hotchner and Newman started a company to market Newman’s original oil-and-vinegar dressing. Newman’s Own, which began as a joke, grew into a multimillion-dollar business selling popcorn, salad dressing, spaghetti sauce and other foods. All the company’s profits are donated to charities. By 2007, the company had donated more than $175 million, according to its Web site. [CNN]

Newman is an excellent example of a person who has taken part to make a difference in this world through both his creative work and , visit newmansown.com to learn more about the Newmans Own mission. Also takepart and visit cancer.org for ways to get involved in the fight against cancer.