Baywatch star Michael Newman dead at 68 from ‘heart complications’ after 18-year battle with Parkinson’s disease

BAYWATCH star Michael Newman has died following his battle with Parkinson's disease.

The actor, who was first diagnosed with the condition in 2006, passed away "from heart complications" on Sunday evening at 68.

According to Michael's close friend, Matt Felker, director of the Hulu docuseries After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun, he was surrounded by family and friends when he drew his last breaths.

He told People: "I got to see Mike the last time he was conscious and he looked [at] me and in typical Mike fashion said, 'You’re just in time.'"

Michael was the only cast member of Baywatch who was a real-life lifeguard, appearing in 150 episodes - more than anyone else, except David Hasselhoff.

He played a character with the same name as his.

During his time on the show, he also worked as a full-time firefighter, a role he returned to after Baywatch ended in 2001, eventually retiring after 25 years of service.

In 2006, Michael was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at the age of 50.

His journey with the disease was chronicled in the Hulu documentary, which was revisited the lives of the iconic cast members after their time on the show.

Reflecting on his experience with Parkinson’s, Michael told People in August, “This terminal disease has given me a lot of thinking time—perhaps more than I wanted—but it has brought me wisdom.”

He also noted, “My body has changed so gradually that I’ve hardly noticed it, yet Parkinson’s is now at the center of my life.”

Despite the challenges, Michael expressed his deep appreciation for life, saying, “I am cherishing the days I have left with family and friends. Life is serious now, and I remind myself every day that it’s not a rehearsal.”

In 2023, Michael reflected on his decision to step away from acting, even though he found great fulfillment in it.

He told the magazine, “You don’t realize how hard it is to look natural on camera, and there were times when I didn’t improve. Acting is a tough industry, and let’s face it—very few survive the years in Hollywood.”

Michael is survived by his wife Sarah, their children Chris and Emily, as well as his one-year-old granddaughter, Charlie.

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