‘Baywatch’ Alum, Mike Newman, Opens Up On His 16 Years Battle With Parkinson’s

Mike Newman is popularly known for portraying a caricatured version of himself as Mike “Newmie” Newman, a firefighter and lifeguard on the iconic ’90s television series Baywatch. The role was intriguingly rooted in his actual life experience—his challenges with Parkinson’s disease for a while.

In a recent interview, the 67-year-old, who has been bravely battling Parkinson’s disease, opened up about the profound personal struggle he has faced over the past 16 years. Newman characterized the disease as a particularly insidious ailment, emphasizing that its symptoms possess a deceptive quality, making it challenging for those affected to readily recognize its presence. “It’s a slow burn,” he stated. “Parkinson’s disease doesn’t wait for you. It keeps on plowing in.”

Mike Newman recalls the time he got his Parkinson’s diagnosis

In an interview with People Magazine, Newman disclosed that the initial signs of the condition became noticeable to his family in 2006 when they observed subtle changes in his movements. His family urged him to seek medical help, and this led to his diagnosis.

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He also stated that the news was incredibly challenging for him as he became limited in his ability to perform certain functions. “Everything changes,” Newman admitted to the news outlet. “All those things that you thought you were going to do with your children and grandchildren, pictures we were going to take, all the plans I had… stopped.”

Mike Newman says he believes featuring in the docuseries, ‘Baywatch: The American Dream’ would help people battling with Parkinson’s

Newman, who is on the verge of making a return to the small screen through the forthcoming four-part docuseries Baywatch: The American Dream, has chosen to candidly unveil the intricacies of his Parkinson’s diagnosis and the challenges he has faced, even though he initially harbored reservations about delving into his disorder. However, his perspective changed after spending time with the series’ director, Matt Felker, with whom he forged a deep friendship.

He explained that the terms of his acceptance were also based on the agreement that the production team would partner with the Michael J. Fox Foundation and Cedars-Sinai to leverage the series as a platform to raise funds and support for individuals suffering Parkinson’s and hoped that sharing his experience will encourage people who are also battling the disease. “This may not help me,” Newman confessed. “But it’s going to help someone down the road.”