David Hasselhoff has paid tribute to his former Baywatch co-star Michael Newman following his death at the age of 68.

In a tribute on Instagram, Hasselhoff said Newman, who was a real-life lifeguard as well as an actor, “saved my life at least four times” during the filming of the hugely popular 1990s TV series.

Only Hasselhoff, who played Mitch Buchannon, and Jeremy Jackson, who played Mitch’s son Hobie, appeared in more episodes than Newman.

His death came eight years after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

In tribute, Hasselhoff posted a photo of the pair together and wrote: “Newman was a warrior… he literally saved my life at least 4 times.

“He made the transition from scarab (speed boat) to jet skis perfectly several times. What a great man.

“He was never afraid of the water. I remember directing him in a few episodes and he was really good. He became a great actor. We will all miss him.”

In his own message, Jackson said he was “so happy” and “honored to have crossed paths with Newman.”

He described him as a “true leader” and added: “There will never be another warrior like this.”

Newman’s death was confirmed by his friend, filmmaker Matthew Felker, who recently directed the docuseries After Baywatch: Moment In The Sun.

“Few of us are lucky enough to have someone like Mike Newman change our lives,” he wrote on Instagram.

Days before his death, Felker said Newman had joked that his visit was “just in time.”

“That was Mike – he found humor right to the end,” Felker said.

Baywatch actress Gena Lee Nolin, who played Neely Capshaw, responded to Felker’s tribute, saying, “Rest in peace Newmie. He will be remembered and dearly missed by so many. One of the good ones through and through.”

Newman was also a full-time firefighter and continued to work during the filming of the hit American drama, which ran from 1989 to 1999.

The actor also starred in a number of Baywatch spin-offs, including Baywatch Hawaii, Baywatch: White Thunder At Glacier Bay and Baywatch Nights.

Newman did not have many other acting roles, but did appear in the 1999 film Enemy Action with C Thomas Howell and Louis Mandylor.

Newman spent his final years working with the Michael J Fox Foundation to help find a cure for Parkinson’s disease.