Grab a box of tissues, Baywatch fans.
Michael Newman tragically lost his 18-year health battle over the weekend. The TV star was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2006, and on Sunday, passed away “from heart complications,” according to his close friend and After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun director Matt Felker. Newman was just 68 years old.
Felker told People on Tuesday:
“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.’”
How heartbreaking! Matt said he died “surrounded by his family and friends.”
On his Instagram, more details were provided about his death in a post shared on Tuesday. See (below):
Awww.
Michael was a real-life lifeguard and was a full-time firefighter while filming Baywatch. In the wake of his death, co-star David Hasselhoff told the New York Post:
“Newman was a warrior … he literally saved my life at least 4 times. He did the transfer from the scarab to jet skis several times perfectly. What an amazing man. He was never afraid of the water. I remember directing him in a few episodes and he was really good. He became a great actor. We will all miss him.”
What a badass. Our hearts are with his loved ones. Rest in peace.