**"Baywatch" Star Michael Newman Passes Away at 68 After Long Battle with Parkinson's**

Michael Newman, a celebrated firefighter and beloved actor known for his longstanding portrayal of "Newmie" on the iconic TV show "Baywatch," has passed away. Newman died at the age of 68, following a nearly twenty-year struggle with Parkinson's disease.

Newman, the only real lifeguard among the show’s cast, died from heart complications on Sunday evening, according to his friend Matt Felker. Felker shared that Newman was surrounded by family and friends during his final moments. Reflecting on their last meeting, Felker recalled Newman's signature humor, saying, "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.'"

Newman’s role as lifeguard Mike "Newmie" Newman spanned 150 episodes of "Baywatch," airing from 1989 to 2000. This tenure was second only to that of the show's leading star, David Hasselhoff. Newman’s contribution to the series began with the 1989 TV movie "Baywatch: Panic at Malibu Pier" and continued into various spinoffs, including "Baywatch Nights" and "Baywatch: White Thunder at Glacier Bay."

Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2006, Newman shared his gradual physical decline in the Hulu docuseries "After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun." Despite the slow progression, Newman stated that the disease had become a central focus of his life, needing 10 medications daily to manage it. In an interview with People magazine in August, he remarked that the illness provided him with unwanted yet enlightening time for introspection, which he felt brought him wisdom.

Recognizing the importance of awareness and research, Newman worked closely with the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research after his diagnosis. He expressed hope that sharing his story would highlight the critical need for a Parkinson's cure.

In addition to his lifeguard roles, Newman appeared in an episode of "Zig and Zag's Dirty Deeds" and the 1999 movie "Enemy Action."

Michael Newman is survived by his wife, Sarah, to whom he was married for nearly 40 years, their two children, Chris and Emily, and their granddaughter, Charlie.