Latest on Paul Newman Emphasizes That Nobody Knows Anything

Since the LA Times earlier this week floated reports that Paul Newman is suffering from lung cancer, the only developing news about the actor's condition is that no one will confirm it. With Newman's rep on one hand saying he is "doing nicely" and old pal A.E. Hotchner on the other acknowledging only "cancer of some sort" (alluding a few breaths later to previous surgery "in the lung area"), the AP today issued a statement saying it stands by its original report on Newman's condition.

But then we were referred over to the blog belonging to Oregonian film critic Shawn Levy, a genuine authority who's neck deep in a Newman biography and recently offered vague confirmation of his own:

Grim Reports Have Paul Newman Diagnosed with Terminal Lung Cancer

We knew Paul Newman was ailing when he retired from acting last year, but the diagnosis only trickled out in the last day or so in reports suggesting the 83-year-old Oscar-winner (and former chain smoker) is suffering from terminal lung cancer. The Dish Rag picked up the story last night at the LA Times:

The acclaimed actor is said to have been diagnosed at New York's Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, where he is currently receiving outpatient treatment and is under a leading New York oncologist's care. One of the few to know about Newman's illness is his Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid costar and good pal, Robert Redford.

Cynthia Nixon Talks Openly About Her Recent Breast Cancer Scare On 'GMA'

Patrick Swayze Not Having The Time Of His Life, Having A Cigarette Instead

When we watched the last season of The Sopranos, we remember watching Johnny Sack freely smoke cigarettes in his hospital gown despite having terminal cancer and feeling completely indifferent. One more of Tony's adversaries going down in a puff of smoke was, in the context of the show, actually something to smile about. But seeing the cancer-stricken visage of Patrick Swayze doing the same thing? Frankly, it guts us. At this point, we're not sure whether to watch the last scene of Dirty Dancing over and over again while fighting back tears or to hop a plane to wherever Swayze is at the moment and personally pluck the cig from his lips. Seen here post-diagnosis, it seems Swayze just can't kick the habit, no matter how brutal it is on his body:

"Pals say he can't quit smoking despite it being linked to a third of pancreatic cancers...Patrick's wife Lisa, 51, is liquidising high-fat dinners as he is having trouble keeping down solid foods."

Breaking: Patrick Swayze 'Has Five Weeks To Live' Due To Spread Of Pancreatic Cancer

Sad news to report. Patrick Swayze, the always charming, dirty dancing, clay massaging late '80s acting stalwart (and star of everyone's favorite SNL skit), has allegedly just received news that his previously diagnosed pancreatic cancer has spread. According to the National Enquirer, doctors have told him he has approximately five weeks to live:

"[Swayze] has lost more than 20 pounds in the past few weeks and is restricted to a liquid diet because he has trouble keeping down solid food, added the insider. 'It's time to start praying for a miracle.'"

• NATIONAL ENQUIRER WORLD EXCLUSIVE: PATRICK SWAYZE HAS FIVE WEEKS TO LIVE [National Enquirer]