Michael Newman, a former Los Angeles County lifeguard best known for starring in the popular action drama series “Baywatch,” has died at the age of 68 after battling Parkinson’s disease for almost two decades.
Filmmaker Matthew Felker, who directed Hulu’s recently released docuseries “After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun,” confirmed Newman’s death with The Epoch Times, sharing via email that the actor died on the evening of Oct. 20 “with all of his family surrounding him.”
“I got to see Mike before he passed away. He was unconscious mostly… when I showed up he was awake almost like a miracle and looked at me and said ‘you’re just in time’ and laughed. That was Mike. He found humor all the way until the end,” Felker wrote.
“Before I left him, we read him letters and played videos from friends from all walks of life. He knew he was loved. Before I left him he grabbed my hand as tight as he could and looked me dead in the eyes and just nodded, I nodded and said. ‘We will see each other again...I promise,’” he said.Remembering Michael Newman
Newman landed his starring role on “Baywatch” in 1989, appearing in the widely acclaimed television series for 150 episodes until the show’s conclusion in 2001. However, his experience as a lifeguard began long before he graced the small screen.The Los Angeles native started his career as a lifeguard when he was just a child, serving as a Santa Monica Junior Lifeguard at the age of 10, per The Ocean Reporter. He later became a lifeguard for the County of Los Angeles while attending the University of California, Santa Barbara.
After graduating with a degree in advertising, Newman went on to become a firefighter with the Los Angeles Fire Department, where he worked while filming the hit drama series until his retirement.
Newman was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2006 at the age of 50. The progressive neurodegenerative disease affects the body’s central nervous system, causing a variety of uncontrollable movements, including shaking or tremors, slowed movement, impaired coordination, as well as loss of automatic movements, such as blinking or smiling, per the Mayo Clinic.
Speaking to People in August, Newman reflected on how the progressive condition had impacted his life.
“This terminal disease has allowed me a lot of thinking time, which I maybe didn’t want, but it’s brought me wisdom,” he said.
“My body has changed so slowly that I hardly notice it, yet I am constantly reminded that Parkinson’s has now become the center of my life,” he added, reiterating that the disease had greatly transformed his outlook on life.
Tributes Pour In
Many of Newman’s friends and colleagues took to social media to pay tribute to the actor and honor his legacy.Bourke Floyd, an actor who recently starred in the Lifetime telefilm “The Life I Can’t Remember,” commented on Felker’s Instagram post, expressing his condolences for Newman’s close family and friends.
“What a blessing that you were able to share that journey with Newmie,” Floyd wrote. “So much love out to you, his family and friends. Just like his character on the show, Mike Newman was in fact a hero and his heroic legacy of inspiration will live forever.”
“Rest in Peace Newmie! He will be remembered and greatly missed by so many. One of the ‘good ones’ through and through,” commented Gena Lee Nolin, Newman’s costar on “Baywatch.”
Newman is survived by his wife of 36 years, Sarah, their two children, Chris and Emily, and granddaughter, Charlie.
