David Hasselhoff, 72, has spoken out about his “Baywatch” co-star, Michael Newman, who died at 68.
Newman passed away on Sunday, but the news of his death broke on Tuesday.
Hassellhoff told The Post in a statement, “Newman was a warrior….he literally saved my life at least 4 times. He did the transfer from the scarab to jet skis several times perfectly. What an amazing man. He was never afraid of the water.”
Hasselhof also recalled, “I remember directing him in a few episodes and he was really good. He became a great actor. We will all miss him.”
Newman, who played lifeguard Mike “Newmie” Newman on “Baywatch,” died 18 years after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The actor was 50 when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2006.
The news was confirmed Tuesday by Newman’s close friend, Matt Felker, who recently directed the Hulu docuseries about “Baywatch.”
The late actor died “from heart complications” on Sunday evening “surrounded by his family and friends.”
Newman was the only “Baywatch” cast member who was a real-life lifeguard. He appeared on 150 episodes of the show, the most of anyone except for Hasselhoff.
He was also a full-time firefighter while starring on “Baywatch.” He returned to firefighting after the show ended in 2001 until he retired after 25 years.
Since news broke of his death on Tuesday, fellow “Baywatch” star Nicole Eggert has also spoken out with a tribute.
“Michael ‘Newmie’ Newman was an inspiration to all. From his knowledge, skill and willingness to share to his long fight with Parkinson’s disease, he was a beacon of strength,” Eggert, 52, told The Post in a statement Tuesday.
“The beaches will never be the same and my heart goes out to his family at this time of tremendous loss,” she continued. “May he rest easy and forever continue to catch waves.”
In the last years of his life, Newman spent his time raising money with the Michael J. Fox Foundation to help find a cure for Parkinson’s.
The late “Baywatch” lifeguard is survived by his wife of 36 years, Sarah, their children Chris and Emily, and their 1-year-old granddaughter, Charlie.
