A Real-Life Hero and TV Icon
Michael Newman's portrayal made him one of the most recognizable faces on the show, second only to David Hasselhoff. Newman’s friend and filmmaker Matt Felker, who directed After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun, confirmed that Newman died on Sunday, October 20, from heart complications. “He passed surrounded by friends and family,” Felker shared, adding, "I got to see Mike one last time while he was conscious, and in typical Mike fashion, he smiled and said, ‘You’re just in time.’”
Juggling TV Stardom and Real-Life Duties
While Newman found fame on-screen, he was also committed to his off-screen career as a firefighter. Even at the height of Baywatch's popularity, he balanced his lifeguarding and firefighting responsibilities, working full-time at the firehouse. After the show ended, Newman retired from firefighting following 25 years of service.In addition to his original role, Newman made a return in three episodes of the spinoff series Baywatch Nights in 1995. His commitment to public service and acting made him a standout figure among the cast, which included Pamela Anderson, Yasmine Bleeth, and Nicole Eggert.Parkinson's Diagnosis and Advocacy
In 2006, at the age of 50, Newman was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Despite the challenges, he channeled his struggles into advocacy, working with the Michael J. Fox Foundation to raise funds for Parkinson’s research."My body has changed so slowly that I hardly notice it," Newman said in an interview with PEOPLE. "But Parkinson’s has now become the center of my life." In the Hulu docuseries After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun, directed by Felker, Newman opened up about his daily struggles, including taking 10 medications a day and dealing with physical tremors. He reflected on the bittersweet wisdom gained from his diagnosis, saying, “This disease has given me a lot of thinking time, whether I wanted it or not.”Speaking to PEOPLE in August, Newman expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share his story. “Matt Felker has allowed me and other cast members to tell our real-life experiences through this documentary,” he said.
Cherishing Life and Family
Newman is survived by his wife, Sarah, with whom he shared 36 years of marriage, along with two grown children, Chris and Emily, and a 1-year-old granddaughter, Charlie. Before his diagnosis, he had planned to retire with Sarah in Hawaii, even building a dream home just blocks from where Baywatch: Hawaii was filmed.Reflecting on life after his diagnosis, Newman said, “Life is short. I didn’t give myself time to think about that before Parkinson’s.” In his final years, he focused on cherishing moments with loved ones, adding, “I’m taking life seriously—it’s not a run-through.”
Michael Newman's portrayal made him one of the most recognizable faces on the show, second only to David Hasselhoff. Newman’s friend and filmmaker Matt Felker, who directed After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun, confirmed that Newman died on Sunday, October 20, from heart complications. “He passed surrounded by friends and family,” Felker shared, adding, "I got to see Mike one last time while he was conscious, and in typical Mike fashion, he smiled and said, ‘You’re just in time.’”
Juggling TV Stardom and Real-Life DutiesWhile Newman found fame on-screen, he was also committed to his off-screen career as a firefighter. Even at the height of Baywatch's popularity, he balanced his lifeguarding and firefighting responsibilities, working full-time at the firehouse. After the show ended, Newman retired from firefighting following 25 years of service.In addition to his original role, Newman made a return in three episodes of the spinoff series Baywatch Nights in 1995. His commitment to public service and acting made him a standout figure among the cast, which included Pamela Anderson, Yasmine Bleeth, and Nicole Eggert.Parkinson's Diagnosis and Advocacy
In 2006, at the age of 50, Newman was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Despite the challenges, he channeled his struggles into advocacy, working with the Michael J. Fox Foundation to raise funds for Parkinson’s research."My body has changed so slowly that I hardly notice it," Newman said in an interview with PEOPLE. "But Parkinson’s has now become the center of my life." In the Hulu docuseries After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun, directed by Felker, Newman opened up about his daily struggles, including taking 10 medications a day and dealing with physical tremors. He reflected on the bittersweet wisdom gained from his diagnosis, saying, “This disease has given me a lot of thinking time, whether I wanted it or not.”Speaking to PEOPLE in August, Newman expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share his story. “Matt Felker has allowed me and other cast members to tell our real-life experiences through this documentary,” he said.
Cherishing Life and FamilyNewman is survived by his wife, Sarah, with whom he shared 36 years of marriage, along with two grown children, Chris and Emily, and a 1-year-old granddaughter, Charlie. Before his diagnosis, he had planned to retire with Sarah in Hawaii, even building a dream home just blocks from where Baywatch: Hawaii was filmed.Reflecting on life after his diagnosis, Newman said, “Life is short. I didn’t give myself time to think about that before Parkinson’s.” In his final years, he focused on cherishing moments with loved ones, adding, “I’m taking life seriously—it’s not a run-through.”
