Michael Newman (actor)

{{Short description|American lifeguard and actor (1957–2024)}}

{{Expand German|Michael Newman|date=October 2024}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Michael Newman

| image =

| caption =

| birth_name = Michael Newman

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1957|4|26}}

| birth_place = San Francisco, U.S.

| death_date = {{Death date and age|2024|10|20|1957|4|26}}

| death_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S.

| spouse =

| occupation = Actor, firefighter, lifeguard

| years_active = 1990-2001

}}

Michael Newman (April 26, 1957 – October 20, 2024) was an American lifeguard, retired firefighter and actor known for his role of Michael "Newmie" Newman on Baywatch.

Newman was born in San Francisco, California, on April 26, 1957.{{cite news |last1=Barnes |first1=Mike |title=Michael Newman, 'Baywatch' Actor and a Real Lifeguard, Too, Dies at 67 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/michael-newman-dead-baywatch-lifeguard-1236041177/ |access-date=22 October 2024 |publisher=The Hollywood Reporter |date=22 October 2024}}

Both during and after working on Baywatch, he advocated for education around water safety and first aid, including times that people credited him and Baywatch for giving them the knowledge of how to act in an emergency.{{Cite news| pages = 179| last = Fugent| first = Valerie| title = Lifesaver: Westside lifeguard brings his know-how to 'Baywatch'| work = The Los Angeles Times| location = Los Angeles, California| access-date = 2025-01-27| date = 1995-09-24| url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-lifesaver-stside/164101435/}}{{Cite news| pages = 26| last = Vincent| first = Sarah| title = Lifesavers upfront role in Baywatch| work = The Birmingham Post| location = Birmingham, West Midlands, England| access-date = 2025-01-27| date = 1995-12-13| url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-post-lifesavers-upfront-r/164101529/}} After leaving the show, he worked with environmental groups to improve the water quality at beaches.{{Cite news| pages = –9| title = 'Baywatch' Star Joins Lautenberg in Urging Senate To Pass Strong Beach-Goer Protection Bill| work = Verona-Cedar Grove Times| location = Verona, New Jersey| access-date = 2025-01-27| date = 2000-08-03| url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/verona-cedar-grove-times-baywatch-star/164101632/}}

He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2006, when he was 50 and publicly spoke about the disease when promoting the documentary series After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun.{{Cite journal| pages = –| last = Ross| first = Alex| title = "Baywatch" Lifeguard Michael Newman Says Living with Parkinson's Brought Him 'Wisdom': 'Life Is Short' (Exclusive)| journal = People.com| date = 2024-08-28}}

He died from heart failure at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, on October 20, 2024, at the age of 67.{{cite news |last1=Rudy |first1=Gabriella |title='Baywatch' star Michael Newman dies at 68 after Parkinson's diagnosis |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/baywatch-star-michael-newman-dies-68-parkinsons-diagnosis-rcna176561 |access-date=22 October 2024 |publisher=NBC News |date=22 October 2024}}