Baywatch star dies after lengthy health battle
<p><em>Baywatch</em> actor Michael Newman has died at the age of 68 after a lengthy battle with Parkinson's disease. </p>
<p>The actor, who played lifeguard Mike “Newmie” Newman on <em>Baywatch</em> in the 1990s, was diagnosed with the neurological condition 18 years ago, and died “from heart complications” on Sunday evening “surrounded by his family and friends.”</p>
<p>His death was confirmed Tuesday by Newman’s close friend, Matt Felker, who recently directed the Hulu docu-series about <em>Baywatch</em>.</p>
<p>“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 told <a href="https://people.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>People</em>.</a></p>
<p>Newman was the only <em>Baywatch</em> cast member who was a real-life lifeguard. He appeared on 150 episodes of the show, the most of anyone except David Hasselhoff.</p>
<p>While starring on Baywatch, he continued to work as a full-time firefighter and returned to the job after the show ended in 2001, until he retired after 25 years.</p>
<p>Newman was 50 when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2006, as he spoke about living with the disease just months ago. </p>
<p>“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 <em>People</em> in August.</p>
<p>“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,” he added.</p>
<p>“I am cherishing the days that I get to be on this earth with family and friends,” he went on. “I’m taking life seriously.”</p>
<p>Newman spent the final years of his life raising money with the Michael J. Fox Foundation to help find a cure for Parkinson’s.</p>
<p>The late star is survived by his wife of 36 years, Sarah, their children Chris and Emily, and their 1-year-old granddaughter, Charlie.</p>
<p><em>Image credits: SplashNews.com/Shutterstock Editorial </em></p>
