Baywatch star Michael Newman has tragically died at the age of 68.
Newman rose to fame in the ’90s after playing a lifeguard on the long-running series, starring alongside Pamela Anderson and Carmen Electra.
The heartbreaking news was confirmed by Newman’s close friend, Matt Felker, who revealed the late actor died “from heart complications” on Sunday, October 20, according to PEOPLE.
The 45-year-old, who directed the recent Hulu docuseries After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun, shared that Newman was “surrounded by his family and friends”.
“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,'” Felker revealed to the outlet.
Newman endured an 18-year battle with Parkinson’s disease.
He was first diagnosed at the age of 50 in 2006 and devoted his later years to fundraising for the Michael J Fox Foundation.
In a heartfelt interview with PEOPLE this August, the late actor opened up about his desire to raise awareness about the condition through his own experiences.
“This terminal disease has allowed me a lot of thinking time, which I maybe didn’t want, but it’s brought me wisdom,” he said. “My body has changed so slowly that I hardly notice it, yet I am constantly reminded that Parkinson’s has now become the center of my life.”
Newman revealed he took 10 medications a day and would often wake up “jittery,” adding: “I am cherishing the days that I get to be on this earth with family and friends. I’m taking life seriously.”
He said that his life mantra is, “It’s not a run-through,” and concluded: “All those things that you thought you were going to do with your children and grandchildren, pictures we were going to take, all the plans I had… stopped.”
Newman was the only member of the Baywatch cast who was actually a lifeguard. He was also a firefighter who balanced his on-screen career with his full-time career.
Once the show concluded in 2001, he returned to firefighting before hanging up his helmet 25 years later.
The late star is survived by his wife of 36 years, Sarah, their children Chris and Emily, and their one-year-old granddaughter, Charlie.
Our thoughts are with Newman’s family and friends at this time.
Legendary Actor Dustin Hoffman’s Secret Battle with Cancer and Triumphant Journey to Recovery
The gifted actor Dustin Hoffman, well known for his part in Rain Man, battled and overcame cancer in a low-key manner in 2013. Even after winning, he made the decision to keep his recovery from illness a secret, hardly ever sharing it with anyone. Following a successful course of cancer treatment, Hoffman was “feeling great and in good health,” according to his publicist, Jodi Gottlieb. Through early detection and surgery, the cancer was completely healed.
Hoffman initially gained notoriety in 1967 for his breakthrough performance in the romantic comedy The Graduate, for which he was nominated for his first Academy Award. He made a lasting impression on the film industry and rose to fame at the age of thirty. Hoffman gave outstanding performances in films such as the moving drama Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) and the 1976 film All the President’s Men.
Hoffman portrayed a guy in Tootsie who passed for a woman in order to land a part in a soap opera, making it one of his most iconic roles. Hoffman said that the event had a significant influence on his view of women.
Hoffman was shocked to learn that he wasn’t considered conventionally attractive as a woman. He came to see how women’s appearance was unduly constrained by society expectations. This insight permanently altered his behavior toward women, both in real life and on screen.
Even though Tootsie was a huge hit, Hoffman saw beyond its comedic merits. Soaring to become the second highest-grossing movie of the year, the picture delved into more significant subjects and struck a strong chord with viewers.
Hoffman won his first Oscar for Kramer vs. Kramer in 1988 before taking home his second Oscar for his outstanding performance in Rain Man. Six Golden Globe Awards and one Primetime Emmy were given to him in recognition of his talent. Hoffman was in great demand in the market and his career was booming.
But in 2013, he abruptly disappeared from the spotlight, leaving his followers to wonder where he had gone. They had no idea that Hoffman was secretly fighting cancer.
The reason for his seclusion wasn’t made public until a few months after he directed the British comedy Quartet in 2012 and finished filming Chef in 2014, in which he co-starred with Jon Favreau and Sofia Vergara. Hoffman had received cancer treatment, but his representative revealed that he had opted to keep the information private. Hoffman was in good condition and had completely recovered from the illness, Jodi Gottlieb informed the public.
Hoffman suffered from health issues, yet he never let that stop him. He has starred in many films since receiving the cancer diagnosis, such as Sam and Kate in 2022 and the impending science fiction drama Metropolopolis in 2024. Furthermore, from 2008 and 2024, he provided the voice of the adored Master Shifu in two additional Kung Fu Panda franchise films.
Hoffman and his spouse were recently sighted walking through the streets of London, as content and in love as ever. The 86-year-old Hollywood icon looked young and carefree while he engaged with cameras and browsed boutiques with his 43-year-old wife.
The path taken by Dustin Hoffman is evidence of his tenacity and unwavering love for what he does. Many people find inspiration in his fight against illness, which serves as a reminder that despite obstacles, it is still possible to triumph and go after our goals.
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