The actor, playwright, author, composer, lyricist and singer died at his southeast Florida home in Jensen Beach after a lengthy bout with cancer, according to his third wife, Dareth Newley Dunn, who was married to Newley for 20 years.

He was first diagnosed in 1985 with renal cell cancer and had one kidney removed. After Mr. Newley had years of good health, the cancer returned in 1997.

Mr. Newley had lived in Surrey, England, about 35 miles outside of London, for years and moved to Florida permanently in December. The former husband of actress Joan Collins, Mr. Newley married three times and had four children.

Dunn described her former husband as "a dear, sweet, loving friend and father ... consummate performer and ultimate composer.''

Mr. Newley shot to fame as the Artful Dodger in the 1948 film version of "Oliver Twist.'' He rapidly became an international star, and during his heyday had a series of hit records, appeared in a string of films and was a major live performer in Las Vegas.

Mr. Newley co-wrote the scores for the hit musicals "Stop The World -- I Want To Get Off,'' "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory'' and "The Roar of the Greasepaint, The Smell of the Crowd.'' He also wrote and performed a number of hit singles, including "The Candy Man," "Goldfinger'' and "What Kind of Fool Am I?''

Mr. Newley is survived by his mother and four children. © 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

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