WESTPORT, Conn. (AP) -- Paul Newman, the Academy-Award winning superstar who personified cool as the anti-hero of such films as "Hud," ''Cool Hand Luke" and "The Color of Money" $ and as an activist, race car driver and popcorn impresario $ 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.

In May, Newman had dropped plans to direct a fall production of "Of Mice and Men," citing unspecified health issues.

As he passed his 80th birthday, he remained in demand, winning an Emmy and a Golden Globe for the 2005 HBO drama "Empire Falls," which was filmed in various central Maine locations, and providing the voice of a crusty 1951 car in the 2006 Disney-Pixar hit, "Cars."