After a protracted fight with Parkinson’s disease, Michael Newman, the real-life lifeguard and firefighter best remembered for his part in the classic television series Baywatch, died at the age of 67.
Newman’s buddy and director of the documentary series After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun, Matthew Felker, verified the information. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Newman passed away on Sunday at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.
He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2006, and complications from the disease were the cause of his death. On social media, Felker honored Newman by writing, “He found humor all the way until the end.” We watched films and read letters from friends from all walks of life before I left him. He was aware of his love.
Newman was born in San Francisco on April 26, 1957, and grew up in Los Angeles. He began working as a Los Angeles County lifeguard at the age of 10 and continued to do so for 20 years. He had no idea that he would become one of the most well-known lifeguards in the world.
Greg Bonnan, a former lifeguard and co-creator of Baywatch, approached Newman about joining the organization. He made his television debut in the 1989 TV film pilot and stayed with the program for its whole run. He shared the same name as his character, which was partially based on his life. Interestingly, he was the only actor who was a real lifeguard, contributing his skills to the show by doing stunts and giving the writers advice.
Despite not appearing in the opening credits during the first several seasons, Newman’s success as “Newmie” ultimately resulted in his advancement to the main cast. He told People earlier this year, “I was too useful for them to get rid of me.” “After seven years of not being in the opening credits, I was finally anointed and permitted to be in the front of the show. I basically started out as a stuntman.”
He made 150 appearances in Baywatch, more than any other cast member save David Hasselhoff. During its syndication, Baywatch became a worldwide success, turning its actors into international celebrities, despite getting poor reviews from critics and being canceled by NBC after only one season.
Newman remained a Los Angeles firefighter during his stint on Baywatch and returned to the fire department full-time once the show ended in 2001. After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at the age of fifty, he said, “Everything changes.” All of your planned activities with your kids and grandkids, the photos we were going to shoot, and all of my plans—all of them came to an end.
Newman continued swimming and being active in spite of his disability. He went public after years of concealing his diagnosis and started raising money for the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
Fans of Baywatch adored Newman and treasured his time there. “Without it, where would I be?” he asked People. “Well, I suppose it would have been a rather dull life.”
His wife, Sarah, his kids, Chris and Emily, and their one-year-old granddaughter, Charlie, are his surviving family members, according to TMZ. The Michael J. Fox Foundation is accepting donations in his honor.
Peace be with you, Michael Newman, a beloved and renowned character from Baywatch. In his honor, kindly spread the word about this tribute.
