On the 20th of October, Michael Newman lost his life after heart complications. Since 2006, Newman was struggling with Parkinson’s. For his passing, Newman’s close friend Matt Felker revealed that Newman’s family were with him in his final moments.
In his heartfelt tribute shared on his social media account, Felker wrote, “You’re just in time.”
“Few of us are lucky enough to have someone like Mike Newman enter and change their life. I met Mike 5 years ago in the beginning stages of a Baywatch series. After 5 years of following his life and becoming very close friends, Mike was able to see the series come to fruition. The amount of issues this series had and hurdles was like no other.”
“Mike was not only a real life hero. He was a competitor through and through. I knew how much this series meant to him and his life. There were times I wanted throw it all in the trash… and then I remembered Mike. I couldn’t let him down.. I couldn’t quit. He never did.”
“We succeeded together pulling something off that was nearly impossible against hurdles you wouldn’t believe. Seeing him light up at our premiere in Santa Monica was worth all the bullshit I endured for years. He said “he did it… he really did it!” You did it Mike. I got to see Mike before he passed away. He was unconscious mostly… when I showed up he was awake almost like a miracle and looked at me and said “you’re just in time” and laughed.”
“That was Mike. He found humor all the way until the end. Before I left him, we read him letters and played videos from friends from all walks of life. He knew he was loved. Before I left him he grabbed my hand as tight as he could and looked me dead in the eyes and just nodded, I nodded and said. “We will see each other again.. I promise”. A few days later. I lost my friend. A hero. My hero. Thanks for coming into my life Newmie. Even if it was a brief time.”
When Newman gave an interview in August, he said, “This terminal disease has allowed me a lot of thinking time, which I maybe didn’t want, but it’s brought me wisdom.”
May he rest in peace.
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