Matt Felker, the director of After Baywatch: Moments in the Sun, has announced the death of a beloved Baywatch star, Michael Newman. Michael, who played Newmie in the beloved sitcom, battled with Parkinson’s disease for 18 years until he died.
Sadly, the actor who spoke about his struggles in the recent Baywatch docuseries was planning to retire to a beautiful home he and his wife, Sarah, built not far from where Baywatch: Hawaii was filmed. But death didn’t allow him to realize his dreams.
How did Michael Newman die?
Michael died from “heart complications” on October 20. Felker, who was there with him, said Michael told him, “You are just in time.” He revealed the late actor was “surrounded by friends and family” until his passing.
Newman was the only real-life lifeguard in Baywatch. He starred in 150 episodes and had to manage his acting schedule with his firefighting job, and he acted in more episodes than other cast members, just 70 episodes behind the lead, David Hasselhoff.
How did Michael Newman cope with Parkinson’s disease?
Before his death, he recently spoke with People about living with Parkinson’s disease for 18 years. Michael stated that the essence of sharing his story is to “bring awareness” to the need for a cure for Parkinson’s. Apart from that, the 67-year-old joined hands with the Michael J. Fox Foundation to find a cure for Parkinson’s.
Speaking on his journey, he said he didn’t notice it when his body was changing but he was “constantly reminded that Parkinson’s” was the “center” of his life. Finally, Michael revealed that he was “taking life seriously” and “cherishing the days” he has on “earth with family and friends.”