David Hasselhoff is remembering Michael Newman as a "warrior" following the Baywatch star's death aged 68.
"Newman was a warrior.... he literally saved my life at least 4 times," Hasselhoff wrote on social media after Newman lost his 18-year-long battle with Parkinson's disease.
"He did the transfer from the scarab to jet skis several times perfectly. What an amazing man."
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David Hasselhoff has paid tribute to Michael Newman, who died this week aged 68. (Instagram/@davidhasselhoff/NBC)READ MORE: Uncomfortable topic facing Charles and Camilla in Samoa
"He was never afraid of the water. I remember directing him in a few episodes and he was really good," Hasselhoff's message continued.
"He became a great actor. We will all miss him."
Newman, who was a real-life lifeguard and firefighter when he was hired to play 'Newmie' on Baywatch, died on Sunday (Monday in Australia) "surrounded by his family and friends".
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He had battled Parkinson's disease for 18 years, with his life-changing completely the moment doctors confirmed his diagnosis.
"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.
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Newman, pictured here with Baywatch's Donna D'Errico and Traci Bingham, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease aged 50. (Getty)READ MORE: 'One was in the toilet': Confronting moment for Aussie actors in outback
Symptoms can include tremors, painful muscle contractions and difficulty with speaking.
"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."
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Newman played Newmie for 150 episodes across 10 seasons on Baywatch, and was one of the show's most popular characters.
The only other cast members who appeared in the show more than Newman were Hasselhoff himself and Jeremy Jackson.
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