Actor Paul Newman announced his retirement from acting to the surprise of some of his neighbors in Westport

Newman, 82, told ABC?s Good Morning America he will continue to focus on his business ventures, but not acting.

Some Westport residents say Newman put their town on the map. Newman and his wife, Joanne Woodward, have lived in the town since the 1960 and helped rebuild the Westport Country Playhouse. Newman has performed at the playhouse, and opened an organic restaurant next door to the theater called the Dressing Room.

Word of his retirement surprised many of his neighbors. They describe Newman as low-key, and say he can be spotted sipping coffee downtown any time.

?He'll be remembered certainly in my refrigerator for all of his dressings and all the money he gives towards those important causes,? said Westport resident Anne Friedman.

Newman said his memory makes him unable to work as an actor at the level he wants.