“Baywatch” star Michael Newman has died at the age of 68. David Hasselhoff remembers his colleague who “saved his life”.
Great mourning for Michael Newman (1957-2024): The former “Baywatch” actor died at the age of 68. Newman, who played lifeguard Mike “Newmie” Newman in the series, died on Sunday from complications of his long-standing Parkinson’s disease. He was diagnosed in 2006 at the age of 50.
“Newman was a warrior,” is how series star David Hasselhoff (72) now pays tribute to his late colleague. “He literally saved my life at least four times.” The actor particularly remembers Newman’s professionalism: “He nailed the transfer from speedboat to jet ski several times. What an amazing man. He was never afraid of the water.”
From lifeguard to series actor
Newman was the only “Baywatch” actor who also worked as a lifeguard in real life. With the exception of Hasselhoff, he appeared in most of the series’ episodes – 150 episodes in total. Parallel to his acting career, Newman also worked as a firefighter, a job he continued for 25 years after “Baywatch” ended in 2001.
His “Baywatch” colleague also said goodbye: “Michael ‘Newmie’ Newman was an inspiration to us all. From his knowledge and willingness to share it to his long battle with Parkinson’s – he was a beacon of strength,” explains the actress. “The beaches will never be the same.”
Newman is survived by his wife of 36 years, Sarah, children Chris and Emily, and a one-year-old granddaughter. In the final years of his life, he also became involved with the Michael J. Fox Foundation to help find a cure for Parkinson’s.
Source: Stern
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