'Baywatch' star Michael 'Newmie' Newman dies after battling Parkinson's disease

Former Baywatch Star Michael Newman has died aged 68, almost two decades after he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

The actor, who played Mike “Newmie” Newman on the hit series, was the only cast member to once work as a real lifeguard.

Apart from David Hasselhoff, he appeared in more episodes than anyone else – 150 in total. During his time, he continued to work as a firefighter Baywatch and continued until his retirement after fighting fires for 25 years. He was 50 when he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

His death was announced by Newman's close friend Matt Felker, the director of the recent Hulu show about the series.

According to the New York PostHe died on Sunday “of heart complications” and was “with his family and friends.”

“This terminal illness has given me a lot of time to think, which I may not have wanted, but it has brought me wisdom,” he said People Earlier this year. “My body has changed so slowly that I hardly notice it, and yet I am constantly reminded that Parkinson's has now become the center of my life.

“I cherish the days I get to spend on this earth with family and friends. I take life seriously,” he added.

Newman is survived by Sarah, to whom he was married for 36 years, their two children, Chris and Emily, and a granddaughter, Charlie, who is one.

In recent years, he has helped raise money for the Michael J. Fox Foundation to find a cure for the disease.