Charismatic and sublime, one of the greatest actors in Hollywood's history, Paul Newman, died at the age of 83 after losing a long, heavy battle with cancer, an announcement made by a family spokesperson said.

The blue-eyed actor and sex symbol, who shot to fame by playing loners as well as criminal and moral outlaws in movies such as "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," passed away surrounded by family members and friends at his home in Westport, Connecticut.

A former chain smoker, Newman had been diagnosed with lung cancer in June of this year and ultimately died of it.

Rumors of his decaying health started emerging in May, when Newman dropped plans to direct a fall production of "Of Mice and Men," citing unspecified health issues.

A ten-time Oscar nominee, the actor studied his craft at Yale and the Actors' Studio before becoming one of Hollywood's most successful and challenging leading men in such edgy films as "The Long Hot Summer," "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," and "Cool Hand Luke." Newman was already an established actor when he finally won his Oscar, on his eighth nomination, for 1986's "The Color of Money," in which he revived his role as "The Hustler's" Fast Eddie Felson after a 25-year hiatus. His most recent academy nod was a supporting actor nomination for the 2002 film "Road to Perdition."

"Acting," he once said, "is really nothing but exploring certain facets of your own personality trying to become someone else." In early films, he said he tried to make himself fit the character but later aimed "to make the character come to me."

In addition to his professional accomplishments, which include over 60 movies, Newman became known for his work as a philanthropist, film director and race car driver. At 47, he became a race car driver, winning four amateur championships and finishing second at the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race.

He was also among those whose love story with "Long Hot Summer" co-star Joanne Woodward became one of Hollywood's greatest love stories. After their wedding in 1958, the two stayed married for the rest of his life. Asked about adultery, he once remarked, "Why would I go out for hamburger when I have steak at home?"

Using his fame as an actor, Newman started a business in 1982, Newman's Own, which has since been making popcorn, spaghetti sauce, lemonade and salad dressing, with the proceedings going to non-profit organizations. Over $250 million were donated to charities selected by Newman himself.

"Paul took advantage of what life offered him, and while personally reluctant to acknowledge that he was doing anything special, he forever changed the lives of many with his generosity, humor, and humanness," said Robert Forrester, vice chairman of the actor's Newman's Own Foundation. "His legacy lives on in the charities he supported and the Hole in the Wall Camps, for which he cared so much."