Hollywood is mourning the loss of Baywatch alum Michael Newman, who passed away on October 20 at the age of 68 due to heart complications.
Newman, who had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2006, was surrounded by family and friends at the time of his death, as confirmed by his close friend Matthew Felker to People.
Felker, who had formed a close bond with Newman over the past five years while working on the documentary miniseries After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun, paid tribute to the late actor on Instagram.
Reflecting on their friendship, Felker shared, “Few of us are lucky enough to have someone like Mike Newman enter and change their life… He was not only a real-life hero, but also a competitor through and through.”
Newman, who portrayed the character “Newmie” on Baywatch from 1989 to 2000, was unique among the cast as the only member who had worked as an actual Los Angeles County lifeguard.
In addition to his lifeguard duties, Newman served as a firefighter for L.A. County, continuing his career in public service after the series ended.
Felker recalled an emotional visit shortly before Newman’s passing, saying that, despite being mostly unconscious, Newman managed to wake up and joke, “You’re just in time.”
Felker described their final moments together: “Right before I left, he grabbed my hand as tight as he could, looked me dead in the eyes, and just nodded… I nodded and said, ‘We will see each other again… I promise.’”
Newman had been open about his battle with Parkinson’s and how it led him to reassess his life.
In an interview with People in August, he shared, “This terminal disease has allowed me a lot of thinking time… but it’s brought me wisdom.”
Despite the challenges, Newman cherished the time spent with his loved ones, noting, “I’m taking life seriously. It’s not a run-through.”
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