Actor Michael Newman, best known for his role as Mike “Newmie” Newman in the popular TV series “Baywatch,” passed away at the age of 67 on Sunday, October 20, 2024. His death occurred at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, California.
Newman succumbed to heart complications following a long-standing battle with Parkinson’s disease, which spanned 18 years. He was surrounded by loved ones at the time of his passing.
From 1989 to 2000, Newman was a part of 150 “Baywatch” episodes, making him one of the longest-standing characters on the show. Unlike his co-stars, Newman brought real-life experience to his role. He was the only actor on the show who had also worked as an actual lifeguard, starting his career at the tender age of 10 at the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, California.
Director Matt Felker, a close friend of Newman’s and the creator of the Hulu docuseries “After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun,” visited Newman shortly before his passing. Felker shared that upon his arrival, Newman, who had been largely unresponsive, suddenly woke up. Newman then humorously told Felker that he had arrived “just in time,” demonstrating his retained sense of humor despite his condition.
During Felker’s visit, they, along with others, read letters and played videos from friends to Newman, ensuring he felt loved. Before Felker left, Newman grabbed his hand, locked eyes with him, and gave a silent nod, which Felker reciprocated, assuring Newman that they would see each other again.
Throughout his time on “Baywatch,” Newman continued to work as a full-time firefighter with the Los Angeles County Fire Department. After the show concluded, he continued his firefighter career until his retirement, marking 25 years of service. He also appeared in the spinoff series “Baywatch Nights” and the 1998 movie “Baywatch: White Thunder at Glacier Bay.”
Newman was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2006 at age 50. In his later years, he dedicated his efforts to fundraise for the Michael J. Fox Foundation, aiming to help find a cure for the disease. He had shared with People magazine in August 2024 that his illness had given him ample time for reflection, albeit uninvited, but also wisdom. While the physical changes brought on by Parkinson’s were gradual and barely noticeable, the disease had undeniably become central to his life.
Prior to his diagnosis, Newman and his wife, Sarah, had plans to retire in Hawaii, where they built their dream home. He leaves behind his wife, their two adult children, Chris and Emily, and their one-year-old granddaughter, Charlie.
