Michael Newman, the real-life lifeguard who rose to fame playing 'Newmie' on Baywatch, has died. He was 68.
According to Matthew Felker, who wrote, directed and produced the docuseries After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun, Newman died on Sunday (Monday in Australia) at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Centre "surrounded by his family and friends, per The Hollywood Reporter.
He had battled Parkinson's disease for 18 years, with his life-changing completely the moment doctors confirmed his diagnosis.
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Michael Newman, pictured here with Donna D'Errico and Traci Bingham in 1996, has died. He was 68. (Getty)READ MORE: She's the daughter of one of the most famous men of all time
"This terminal disease has allowed me a lot of thinking time, which I maybe didn't want, but it's brought me wisdom," Newman told People in August, seven days after turning 68.
He was 50 years old when he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, a degenerative brain condition for which there is no cure.
Symptoms can include tremors, painful muscle contractions and difficulty with speaking.
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"My body has changed so slowly that I hardly notice it, yet I am constantly reminded that Parkinson's has now become the centre of my life," Newman told the outlet.
"I am cherishing the days that I get to be on this earth with family and friends. I'm taking life seriously."
Newman played Newmie for 150 episodes across 10 seasons on Baywatch, and was one of the show's most popular characters.
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The Baywatch star, pictured here in 2011, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2006. (WireImage)The only other cast members who appeared in the show more than Newman were David Hasselhoff and Jeremy Jackson – and the show wasn't technically Newman's full-time job.
After being cast on the show, Newman remained a firefighter, and when it ended in 2001, he continued full-time firefighting until he retired after 25 years in the career. He spent the final years of his life raising money with the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which aims to find a cure for the disease.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Sarah, their son Chris – who is also a lifeguard in Los Angeles – daughter Emily, and one-year-old granddaughter Charlie.
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