Paul Newman's daughter, Melissa (Lissy), spoke to ET on Saturday -- her birthday, incidentally -- about the man she feels her father truly was: A family man and philanthropist.

Describing him as an "awesome" dad and grandfather, Lissy tells us her father was "really a gentleman to the end. We've had an amazing experience with him."

"He was really all about philanthropy, and people caring, and people voting, and that's really who he was," she says.

Her dad was "strong and brave and fabulous," she adds. "But I think the most important thing is for people to remember his legacy, and his legacy is philanthropy. And that's really what mattered to him most. Hopefully that lives on forever and ever and ever."

"So many of his ideas were reaching out," she concludes. "I think that's what he'd like people to remember. Reach out, keep doing it. If we all did something for somebody or some organization today, can you imagine the change that would happen?"

Watch ET for more on the late Paul Newman's incredible legacy.