Mike Newman — the star of “Baywatch” who handed away final month after an extended battle with Parkinson’s illness — obtained a touching send-off from these near him … a paddle out held in his honor.
Matthew Felker — the director behind the Hulu docuseries “After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun” — helped make the occasion occur … and, try the picture. It’s a becoming tribute to somebody who spent so lengthy performing close to the water.
We’re instructed Newman’s costar David Chokachi — the actor who performed Cody Madison in additional than 80 episodes of the present through the later ‘90s — additionally got here to pay his respects to Mike.
Felker’s additionally organizing a extra formal celebration of life occasion in Mike’s honor … telling us he’s screening a director’s minimize of his docuseries for a bunch of lifeguards with the assistance of The Michael J. Fox basis and quite a few companies within the Malibu space.
Matt explains that folks might solely consider Pamela Anderson or David Hasselhoff after they hear the title “Baywatch” … however, he feels Mike was actually one of the vital components of the present — starring within the gross sales reel that received NBC concerned and sticking with the present for all 11 seasons.
Whereas Newman needed to combat by Parkinson’s illness, Felker says he by no means allowed it to beat him … remembering him as somebody who simply needed to stay as a lot of a traditional life as he may — spending time with pals, understanding and having fun with a beer whilst his situation worsened.
Felker says he promised Newman he would work with the Michael J. Fox Basis to lift cash for these with Parkinson’s … making the promise to MN even whereas he was within the hospital, days earlier than he died. He says he’s dedicated to that process and asks individuals to donate to the muse in his honor.
As we reported … Mike handed away from coronary heart issues 18 years after first being identified with the illness.
On prime of performing, Mike was additionally an actual first responder — working as each a lifeguard and a firefighter. He went again to firefighting full-time after the present ended. He was 68.
RIP
