'Baywatch' star Michael Newman dead at 68, filmmaker friend says

"Baywatch" star Michael Newman has died. He was 68 years old.

Newman died Oct. 20 "from bosom complications," longtime friend Matthew Felker confirmed to People magazine. Newman was surrounded by his family and friends, according to Felker, who directed nan caller "After Baywatch: Moment successful nan Sun" documentary.

"I sewage to spot Mike nan past clip he was conscious, and he looked [at] maine and, successful emblematic Mike fashion, said, 'You’re conscionable successful time,'" Felker told nan outlet.

"Mike and I had a very typical enslaved and friendship," he added successful a connection to Fox News Digital. "I gave my connection to him erstwhile we started our bid that I would thief raise consciousness for Parkinson’s, and I told him nan past clip I saw him that I will proceed to do so."

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Michael Newman has died astatine property 68 aft battling Parkinson's disease. (Getty Images)

Newman and Felker met 5 years ago, according to a station nan filmmaker shared connected Instagram. 

"After 5 years of pursuing his life and becoming very adjacent friends, Mike was capable to spot nan bid travel to fruition," Felker wrote. "The magnitude of issues this bid had and hurdles was for illustration nary other. Mike was not only a existent life hero. He was a competitor done and through. I knew really overmuch this bid meant to him and his life. There were times I wanted propulsion it each successful nan trash… and past I remembered Mike. I couldn’t fto him down.. I couldn’t quit. He ne'er did. 

"We succeeded together pulling thing disconnected that was astir intolerable against hurdles you wouldn’t believe. Seeing him ray up astatine our premiere successful Santa Monica was worthy each nan bulls--- I endured for years. He said ‘he did it… he really did it!’ You did it Mike.

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"I sewage to spot Mike earlier he passed away," he added. "He was unconscious mostly… erstwhile I showed up he was awake almost for illustration a occurrence and looked astatine maine and said ‘you’re conscionable successful time’ and laughed. That was Mike. He recovered joke each nan measurement until nan end. Before I near him, we publication him letters and played videos from friends from each walks of life. He knew he was loved. Before I near him he grabbed my manus arsenic tight arsenic he could and looked maine dormant successful nan eyes and conscionable nodded, I nodded and said, ‘We will spot each different again.. I promise’. A fewer days later. I mislaid my friend. A hero. My hero. Thanks for coming into my life Newmie. Even if it was a little time."

Newman was diagnosed pinch Parkinson's Disease successful 2006 astatine nan property of 50.

"This terminal illness has allowed maine a batch of reasoning time, which I possibly didn’t want, but it’s brought maine wisdom," Newman told People mag successful August.

"My assemblage has changed truthful slow that I hardly announcement it, yet I americium perpetually reminded that Parkinson’s has now go nan halfway of my life."

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Michael Newman appeared successful 150 episodes of "Baywatch." (Getty Images)

Newman gained fame arsenic lifeguard Mike "Newmie" Newman in "Baywatch." He was nan only personnel of nan formed who was a lifeguard successful existent life.

Newman besides appeared successful much episodes than immoderate different bid formed personnel too "Baywatch" prima David Hasselhoff. His look graced nan TV surface for 150 episodes arsenic nan show ran from 1989 to 2001.

Co-star Donna D'Errico paid tribute to Newman connected Instagram.

"Newmie was nicer to maine than anyone other connected nan show," she wrote. "Ever benignant and encouraging, he was a gentle, calming unit that made my years connected ‘Baywatch’ easier. I was ever truthful happy whenever we had scenes together because he was a joyousness to activity with. He knew of my fearfulness of h2o and inability to aquatics and, being an fantabulous swimmer himself, softly helped maine done my h2o scenes. I’m truthful sad to perceive of his passing today."

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Donna D'Errico, character and lifeguard Michael Newman and Traci Bingham be a "Baywatch" property arena to unveil nan show's caller formed members connected Malibu Beach July 17, 1996. (Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images)

Newman is survived by his wife, Sarah, their 2 children and a granddaughter.

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Before his death, nan character and his woman had plans to discontinue to Hawaii. They had built a location 2 blocks distant from wherever "Baywatch: Hawaii" filmed.

"Life is short," Newman antecedently told People magazine. "It is thing I didn’t often springiness myself a chance to deliberation astir earlier my Parkinson’s diagnosis."