Michael Newman dead: “Baywatch” actor was 68 years old

Baywatch Alum Michael Newman has died 18 years after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

Newman died on Sunday, October 20, “of heart complications,” “surrounded by his family and friends,” his friend Matt Felker, who recently directed the Hulu docuseries After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun, confirmed People.

Newman became known for his role as lifeguard Mike “Newmie” Newman in the NBC series Baywatchin which he appeared in 150 episodes from 1989 to 2000. Newman was the only cast member on the series who was actually a lifeguard. He worked as a lifeguard in LA County for 20 years, starting at age 10 as a junior lifeguard in Santa Monica.

Baywatchan action drama series about lifeguards patrolling the beaches of Los Angeles County and Hawaii was canceled after one season on NBC but survived in syndication and eventually became the most-watched series worldwide with over 1.1 billion viewers. Created by Michael Berk, Douglas Schwartz and Gregory J. Bonann, the series starred David Hasselhoff alongside an ensemble cast that included Pamela Anderson, Alexandra Paul, Gregory Alan Williams, Jeremy Jackson, Parker Stevenson, David Chokachi, Billy Warlock, Erika Eleniak, David Charvet, Yasmine Bleeth and Nicole Eggert.

Newman also appeared in spin-off series Baywatch nights and the 1998 film Baywatch: White Thunder in Glacier Bayas well as comedy Welcome to Hollywood and action drama Hostile action.

Newman was also a full-time firefighter during filming Baywatch, and continued firefighting until he retired People.

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Felker posted a memory of Newman on Instagram along with photos of the two of them, writing, “I lost my hero yesterday. As I told him before he left this earth. We'll meet Again. I promise.” You can see his post below.