Baywatch star Michael Newman has tragically died at the age of 68.
Newman rose to fame in the ’90s after playing a lifeguard on the long-running series, starring alongside Pamela Anderson and Carmen Electra.
The heartbreaking news was confirmed by Newman’s close friend, Matt Felker, who revealed the late actor died “from heart complications” on Sunday, October 20, according to PEOPLE.
The 45-year-old, who directed the recent Hulu docuseries After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun, shared that Newman was “surrounded by his family and friends”.
“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,'” Felker revealed to the outlet.
Newman endured an 18-year battle with Parkinson’s disease.
He was first diagnosed at the age of 50 in 2006 and devoted his later years to fundraising for the Michael J Fox Foundation.
In a heartfelt interview with PEOPLE this August, the late actor opened up about his desire to raise awareness about the condition through his own experiences.
“This terminal disease has allowed me a lot of thinking time, which I maybe didn’t want, but it’s brought me wisdom,” he said. “My body has changed so slowly that I hardly notice it, yet I am constantly reminded that Parkinson’s has now become the center of my life.”
Newman revealed he took 10 medications a day and would often wake up “jittery,” adding: “I am cherishing the days that I get to be on this earth with family and friends. I’m taking life seriously.”
He said that his life mantra is, “It’s not a run-through,” and concluded: “All those things that you thought you were going to do with your children and grandchildren, pictures we were going to take, all the plans I had… stopped.”
Newman was the only member of the Baywatch cast who was actually a lifeguard. He was also a firefighter who balanced his on-screen career with his full-time career.
Once the show concluded in 2001, he returned to firefighting before hanging up his helmet 25 years later.
The late star is survived by his wife of 36 years, Sarah, their children Chris and Emily, and their one-year-old granddaughter, Charlie.
Our thoughts are with Newman’s family and friends at this time.
My Girlfriend Left My Dog at the Shelter While I Was at Work, When I Went to Take Him Home, He Was Gone
Once upon a time, I met Frankie, a fluffy Great Pyrenees puppy with one eye and three paws, in a shelter. At that moment, I felt a deep connection with him. You see, life had been really tough for me after losing my parents in a car crash. I was so sad that I even tried to hurt myself twice. But when I saw Frankie, something inside me clicked. It was like we were meant to be together.
Frankie wasn’t just a pet to me; he became my best friend, my rock. His love filled the hole in my heart left by my parents. I was so grateful for him that I made sure he had everything he needed, even when I was at work. I set up cameras at home just to keep an eye on him.
He loved snacks, belly rubs, and cuddles, and I loved him more than anything in the world. I told my girlfriend, Leslie, all about Frankie and how much he meant to me. She seemed to understand until we talked about moving in together.
One day, while we were looking for a house, Leslie said something that shocked me. She said Frankie couldn’t come with us. I thought she was joking at first, but she wasn’t. We argued for hours, but I refused to leave Frankie behind. He had saved me, and I couldn’t abandon him.
Leslie left in anger, and we didn’t talk for days. It was hard without her, but I knew I had to stand by Frankie. He was more than just a dog; he was my lifeline.
I realized then that any future partner would have to accept Frankie as part of our family. He was a symbol of my strength and healing, and I couldn’t imagine my life without him.
Weeks passed, and Leslie finally reached out to me. She wanted to make things work, but she still didn’t want Frankie around. I missed her, but I couldn’t give up Frankie for anyone.
Eventually, Leslie left, and I was heartbroken. But I stayed true to myself and Frankie. Then, one day, I found Frankie was gone. Leslie had taken him to a shelter while I was out. I was furious and hurt.
But fate had other plans. I found Frankie with a woman named Emma and her daughter Olivia. Frankie had brought them together, just like he did for me. Emma understood how much Frankie meant to me, and we formed a bond over our shared love for him.
In the end, Emma and I fell in love, and we got married. Frankie was there with us, a symbol of the love and strength that brought us together. Through all the ups and downs, Frankie showed us the power of love and resilience.
Our story may have had a rocky start, but in the end, we found happiness and love in the most unexpected places. And it’s all thanks to Frankie, our furry guardian angel.
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