Michael Newman, former Baywatch star, has passed away following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease, which he was diagnosed with in 2006. He was 68.
According to PEOPLE, Matt Felker—Newman’s close friend and director of the Hulu docuseries After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun—the actor died from heart complications on the evening of Sunday, Oct. 20, surrounded by loved ones.
“I got to see Mike the last time he was conscious and he looked [at] me and in typical Mike fashion said, ‘You’re just in time,’ ” Felker told PEOPLE.
Michael Newman, a Los Angeles native, rose to fame in the ’90s as the beloved TV lifeguard Mike “Newmie” Newman on the iconic series Baywatch. Notably, he was the only cast member with real-life lifeguarding experience. Appearing in 150 episodes between 1989 and 2001, Newman was featured in more episodes than anyone on the show, except for David Hasselhoff.
In addition to his television career, Newman worked full-time as a firefighter, balancing his duties at the firehouse with his filming schedule. After Baywatch concluded, he continued his firefighting career until retiring after 25 years of service.
Baywatch is a popular American television series that originally aired from 1989 to 2001. Set on the beaches of Los Angeles, the show follows a team of lifeguards led by Mitch Buchannon, portrayed by David Hasselhoff, as they protect swimmers from dangers like rip currents, sharks, and criminal activity. Known for its mix of drama, action, and beachside scenery, the series became a global hit, attracting millions of viewers.
The show’s success led to several spinoffs, including Baywatch Nights and Baywatch Hawaii, as well as a 2017 film adaptation starring Dwayne Johnson and Priyanka Chopra. Beyond its storylines, Baywatch was widely recognized for launching the careers of stars like Pamela Anderson and Yasmine Bleeth, as well as popularizing the iconic red lifeguard swimsuits. It remains one of the most-watched TV shows of all time.
In 1999, Newman appeared in the thriller Enemy Action alongside C. Thomas Howell and Louis Mandylor. The film follows two Air Force officers in pursuit of a stolen high-tech smart bomb.
In recent years, the star dedicated time to raising funds with the Michael J. Fox Foundation to support the search for a cure for Parkinson’s Disease.
Newman is survived by his wife, Sarah, their two children and his granddaughter.
Rest in Peace.
