Michael Newman, known for his role as lifeguard Mike “Newmie” Newman on the acclaimed TV show “Baywatch,” passed away at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, California on Sunday evening, October 20, 2024. He was 67 years old.
His death resulted from heart complications after a long fight with Parkinson’s disease, a battle he faced for 18 years. He was surrounded by his loved ones during his last moments.
Newman’s character was featured in 150 episodes of “Baywatch” from 1989 to 2000, making him one of the longest-standing figures on the show. Unlike his co-actors, Newman brought real-life experience to his role. He was the only cast member with genuine lifeguard experience, having started his career as a junior lifeguard on the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, California, when he was just 10.
His friend, Matt Felker, who directed the Hulu docuseries “After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun,” detailing Newman’s 18-year struggle with Parkinson’s, visited him shortly before he died. Despite being mostly unresponsive, Newman woke up when Felker arrived. Felker remembered Newman’s last words to him: “You’re just in time,” followed by laughter, showing his sense of humor persisted until the end.
During his final hours, Newman’s friends and family read letters and played videos from loved ones, creating an atmosphere of affection and support. Before leaving, Felker shared a silent moment with Newman, a firm handshake and a mutual nod, promising they would meet again.
While on “Baywatch,” Newman also worked as a full-time firefighter with the Los Angeles County Fire Department. He continued his firefighting career even after the show concluded, retiring after 25 years of service. He also featured in the spinoff series “Baywatch Nights” and the 1998 film “Baywatch: White Thunder at Glacier Bay.”
In 2006, at age 50, Newman was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. During his later years, he committed himself to fundraising for the Michael J. Fox Foundation, aiming to help find a cure for the disease. In a 2024 interview with People magazine, he shared that the disease had given him ample time for reflection and growth, despite its unwelcome arrival. He noted that the physical changes were gradual but stated the disease had become the central aspect of his life.
Prior to his diagnosis, Newman and his wife, Sarah, had planned to retire in Hawaii, where they had built their dream house. He leaves behind his wife, their two adult children, Chris and Emily, and their one-year-old granddaughter, Charlie.
