Former Baywatch star Michael Newman has died at the age of 68, almost two decades after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

The actor, who played Mike ‘Newmie’ Newman on the hit show, was the only cast member to ever work as a real lifeguard.

Apart from David Hasselhoff, he appeared in more episodes than anyone else: 150 in total. While on the job, he continued to work as a firefighter Baywatch and continued until his retirement after 25 years of fighting fires. He was 50 when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s.

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

According to the New York Posthe died on Sunday ‘of heart complications’ and was ‘surrounded by 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 given me wisdom,” he said People earlier this year. “My body has changed so slowly that I hardly notice it, 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, his wife of 36 years, their two children, Chris and Emily, and a granddaughter, Charlie.

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