Baywatch star tragically dies aged 68 after long health battle

Michael Newman, who played lifeguard Mike “Newmie” Newman on “Baywatch,” has died. He was 68. Newman passed away 18 years after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

A close friend of the actor confirmed he passed away on Sunday evening from “heart complications” “surrounded by his family and friends.”

Michael was best known for his role as Newmie on the long-running series. In total, he appeared on 150 episodes of the show.

MIchael’s friend, Matt Felker, described how Michael had told him he was “just in time” the last time he saw him. Felker, who was the director of the Hulu docuseries After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun, also revealed the star was surrounded by family and friends as he passed away.

Felker told People: “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’.” Newman was the only “Baywatch” castmember who was a real-life lifeguard. He appeared on 150 episodes of the show, the most of anyone except David Hasselhoff.

The actor was also a full-time firefighter while starring on “Baywatch.” He returned to firefighting after the show ended in 2001 until he retired after 25 years. Newman was 50 when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2006.