Oscar-winning actor Paul Newman succumbed to cancer this past Friday at his home in Connecticut. The philanthropist, World War II veteran and devoted family man was 83 years old. The Vice President of Newman’s charity “Newman’s Own” released the following statement after his passing:

Paul Newman’s love was his family and friends, and his heart and soul were dedicated to helping make the world a better place for all.

He quietly devoted himself to [those less fortunate with the creation of] Newman’s Own, donating all the profits and royalties he earned to thousands of charities around the world, a total which now exceeds $250 million.

He was especially committed to the thousands of children with life-threatening conditions served by the Hole in the Wall Camps, which he helped start over 20 years ago. He saw the Camps as places where kids could escape the fear, pain and isolation of their conditions. Through the Camps, well over 135,000 children have had the chance to experience what childhood was meant to be.

In Paul’s words: “I wanted to acknowledge luck; the chance and benevolence of it in my life, and the brutality of it in the lives of others, who might not be allowed the good fortune of a lifetime to correct it.”

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. His legacy lives on in the charities he supported and the Hole in the Wall Camps, for which he cared so much.

You don’t find people much better than that right there. The world was a better place for him having been in it. If more celebrities were like him, I’d be out of a job. Rest in peace, Mr. Newman.