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In Memoriam: Fallen Stars of 2024
Hollywood is mourning the decease of a beloved Baywatch alum.
Michael Newman—who was diagnosed with Parkinson's illness successful 2006—died from bosom complications connected Oct. 20 portion "surrounded by his household and friends," his friend Matthew Felker told People. The actor was 68.
"Few of america are fortunate capable to person idiosyncratic similar Mike Newman participate and alteration their life," Felker wrote on Instagram Oct. 21 alongside videos of the two. He explained the 2 met five years ago when Felker was opening enactment arsenic the manager of the Baywatch documentary miniseries, After Baywatch: Moment successful the Sun. "Mike was capable to spot the bid travel to fruition."
According to Felker, Newman—who played the quality Newmie connected the amusement from 1989 to 2000—"was not lone a existent beingness hero. He was a rival done and through."
"I got to spot Mike earlier helium passed away," Felker wrote. "He was unconscious mostly… erstwhile I showed up helium was awake astir similar a occurrence and looked astatine maine and said ‘you're conscionable successful time' and laughed. That was Mike. He recovered wit each the mode until the end."
Felker added that close earlier helium left the room, Newman "grabbed my manus arsenic choky arsenic helium could and looked maine dormant successful the eyes and conscionable nodded, I nodded and said. ‘We volition spot each different again.. I promise.'"
Newman was the lone subordinate of the Baywatch cast who had really worked arsenic a Los Angeles County lifeguard. He was besides a firefighter for L.A. County during the tally of the series, and continued arsenic a afloat clip firefighter aft the amusement ended.
All American TV, Inc./Getty Images
Before his death, Newman had been candid astir however his Parkinson's diagnosis astatine the property of 50 made him reevaluate his life.
"This terminal illness has allowed maine a batch of reasoning time, which I possibly didn't want, but it's brought maine wisdom," helium told People in August. "My assemblage has changed truthful dilatory that I hardly announcement it, yet I americium perpetually reminded that Parkinson's has present go the halfway of my life."
He added, "I americium cherishing the days that I get to beryllium connected this world with household and friends. I'm taking beingness seriously. It's not a run-through."
Newman is survived by his wife Sarah and their children Chris and Emily.
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