Baywatch alum Michael Newman has died, 18 years after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

Newman died “of heart complications” on Sunday, October 20, “surrounded by his family and friends,” his friend Matt Felker, who recently directed the Hulu docuseries. After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun, attached to People.

Newman became known for his role as lifeguard Mike “Newmie” Newman on NBC’s Baywatchin which he appeared in 150 episodes from 1989 to 2000. Newman was the only cast member of the show who was actually a lifeguard. He had worked as a lifeguard in LA County for 20 years, starting at the age of 10 as a Santa Monica Junior Lifeguard.

Baywatchan action drama series about lifeguards patrolling the beaches of Los Angeles County and Hawaii, was canceled after one season on NBC, but survived in syndication and eventually became the most watched series in the world with more than 1.1 billion viewers. Created by Michael Berk, Douglas Schwartz and Gregory J. Bonann, the series starred David Hasselhoff along with an ensemble cast including Pamela Anderson, Alexandra Paul, Gregory Alan Williams, Jeremy Jackson, Parker Stevenson, David Chokachi, Billy Warlock, Erika Eleniak , David Charvet, Yasmine Bleeth and Nicole Eggert.

Newman also appeared in spin-off series Baywatch evenings and the 1998 film Baywatch: White Thunder in Glacier Baybut also comedy Welcome to Hollywood and action drama Enemy action.

Newman was also a full-time firefighter during filming Baywatch, and continued firefighting until he retired, according People.

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Felker wrote a memory of Newman on Instagram, along with photos of the two, writing, “I lost my hero yesterday. As I told him before he left this earth. I will see you again. I promise.” You can see his message below.