‘Baywatch’ Documentary Director Organizes Paddle Out Memorial For Mike Newman

Mike Newman — the star of “Baywatch” who handed away final month after a protracted battle with Parkinson’s illness — obtained a touching send-off from these near him … a paddle out held in his honor.

Matthew Felker — the director behind the Hulu docuseries “After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun” — helped make the occasion occur … and, take a look at the photograph. It’s a becoming tribute to somebody who spent so lengthy performing close to the water.

We’re informed Newman’s costar David Chokachi — the actor who performed Cody Madison in additional than 80 episodes of the present in the course of the later ‘90s — additionally got here to pay his respects to Mike.

Felker’s additionally organizing a extra formal celebration of life occasion in Mike’s honor … telling us he’s screening a director’s lower of his docuseries for a bunch of lifeguards with the assistance of The Michael J. Fox basis and quite a few companies within the Malibu space.

Matt explains that folks could solely consider Pamela Anderson or David Hasselhoff once they hear the title “Baywatch” … however, he feels Mike was actually one of the crucial vital components of the present — starring within the gross sales reel that obtained NBC concerned and sticking with the present for all 11 seasons.

Whereas Newman needed to combat by way of Parkinson’s illness, Felker says he by no means allowed it to beat him … remembering him as somebody who simply needed to dwell as a lot of a traditional life as he may — spending time with mates, understanding and having fun with a beer at the same time as his situation worsened.

Felker says he promised Newman he would work with the Michael J. Fox Basis to lift cash for these with Parkinson’s … making the promise to MN even whereas he was within the hospital, days earlier than he died. He says he’s dedicated to that activity and asks folks to donate to the muse in his honor.

As we reported … Mike passed away from coronary heart issues 18 years after first being recognized with the illness.

On high of performing, Mike was additionally an actual first responder — working as each a lifeguard and a firefighter. He went again to firefighting full-time after the present ended. He was 68.