### "Baywatch" Actor Michael Newman Passes Away at 68

Michael Newman, the actor celebrated for his role in the iconic television series "Baywatch," has sadly passed away on Sunday. He had been battling Parkinson's disease since his diagnosis in 2006. He was 68 years old. The news was confirmed by his close friend and director Matthew Felker, who shared the news on Instagram the following day.

Felker, the director behind the recent Hulu docuseries "After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun," recounted his deep friendship with Newman in an emotional Instagram post. He mentioned that the making of the series was fraught with challenges, but the thought of honoring Newman kept him going. Felker also shared that in the days leading up to Newman's passing, he read letters and played videos from many friends to let Newman know how much he was loved.

Michael Newman's passing was attributed to heart complications, and he was surrounded by friends and family during his final moments, according to Felker in an interview with People magazine. Newman had openly discussed his struggles with Parkinson's disease in the docuseries, revealing the difficulties of managing the condition with as many as 10 medications a day.

Newman gained widespread fame in the '90s, portraying lifeguard Mike "Newmie" Newman on "Baywatch." He was the only cast member with real-life lifeguarding experience and appeared in 150 episodes, second only to David Hasselhoff. The show, which aired from 1989 to 2001, focused on the lives and adventures of a team of lifeguards in Los Angeles.

In addition to his acting career, Newman served as a full-time firefighter, balancing his duties at the firehouse with his filming schedule. After "Baywatch" concluded, he continued his firefighting career for another 25 years before retiring. He even reprised his role as "Newmie" in the 1995 spinoff series "Baywatch Nights."

Michael Newman is survived by his wife of 36 years, Sarah, their children Chris and Emily, and his 1-year-old granddaughter, Charlie. His contributions to television and his efforts in raising money for Parkinson's research through the Michael J. Fox Foundation leave a lasting legacy.