2008-06-16 14:04:35 - Warren Beatty is "holding his breath" in the hope his friend Paul Newman survives his reported battle with lung cancer.

Warren Beatty is "holding his breath" in the hope Paul Newman survives his cancer battle. The 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid' actor, who has reportedly been diagnosed with lung cancer, has received numerous messages of support from

his Hollywood peers who are willing him to pull through. Beatty said: "I love Paul and I just cross my fingers that he can deal with this. There are great new medical developments that are coming up all the time. So we will hold our breath." Jane Fonda also revealed she has been in contact with Newman since hearing reports he is suffering from cancer. She told US TV show 'Extra': "He has been a friend of mine almost as long as Warren. I am very sad to hear that. In fact, I've started a letter to him." Newman's representatives have refused to confirm rumours surrounding the 83-year-old star's health, simply saying: "He is doing nicely." Last week, it was claimed the actor had been diagnosed with cancer months ago and was forced to pull out of directing a big-screen adaptation of John Steinbeck's book 'Of Mice and Men'. A patient at New York's Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center claimed to have regularly seen Newman at the hospital with his wife Joanne Woodward. However, his spokesperson played down his hospitalisation, saying Newman was "being treated for athlete's foot and hair loss".