BREAKING NEWS Baywatch icon who worked with Pamela Anderson dies at age 77... just 12 days after his wife's death
The legendary show's publicist Paul Nichols died at his home in Weatherford, Texas, on March 14. No cause of death has been disclosed as of yet.
The news was shared by his family on Wednesday.
He died only 12 days after his wife of 31 years, Linda, passed away making it a double tragedy for the Nichols family.
Paul was a publicist working at The Lippen Group in 1991 when he helped the show from being canceled by getting it into syndication.
The series went on to become a powerhouse money maker.
Baywatch aired from 1989 until 2001 with 241 episodes in all. The beach-set drama starred David Hasselhoff, Pamela Anderson, Yasmine Bleeth and Nicole Eggert.
The show focused on Lt. Mitch Buchannon who was the dedicated leader of a group of lifeguards at Malibu Beach in Los Angeles.
Although this prime-time soap opera features a lot of sand, sun and bikinis, it also tackles many serious themes and features multifaceted characters.
There was also a movie made in 2017 starring The Rock and Priyanka Chopra.
Paul was born in Delaware in 1948 and graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism from Penn State University in 1970.
He started out as a DJ then went into showbusiness.
His first big job was on the talk show The Mike Douglas Show, based in Philadelphia.
In 1980, he relocated to California to work for John Davidson, Douglas' talk-show successor.
He also was employed at Group W, All American Television and Sony Pictures Television.
This comes after Michael Newman died at the age of 68 in October.
He was best known for his role as a lifeguard named Mike 'Newmie' Newman on the hit TV series Baywatch.
And the actor also starred on Baywatch Nights for three episodes in 1996.
Newman passed away due to complications related to Parkinson's Disease, according to PageSix. He was first diagnosed with the crippling diseases in 2006 at the age of 50.
His friend Matt Felker told People that the complications were with his heart.
Newman was the only Baywatch actor who had worked as a lifeguard in real life.
He appeared on 150 episodes of the show, which was the most of anyone else on the show, except for the show's main star David Hasselhoff.
The actor was also a full-time firefighter while starring on Baywatch.
His struggle with Parkinson's disease was mentioned on the recent documentary Baywatch: Moment in the Sun.
'This terminal disease has allowed me a lot of thinking time, which I maybe didn't want, but it's brought me wisdom,' Newman told People in August.
'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,' he added.
Newman also said, 'I am cherishing the days that I get to be on this earth with family and friends. I'm taking life seriously.'
He shared that the words he lives by are, 'It's not a run-through.'
Michael's Baywatch alter ego Newmie was based on himself as he was a lifeguard in real life.
The actor wasn't intended to star on the show and was first employed as a stuntman, but he eventually got to be right at the heart of the action.
'I was too useful for them to get rid of me,' he said.
'I basically started off as a stuntman, and after seven years of being out of the opening credits, I finally was anointed and allowed to be in the front of the show.'
After his stint on Baywatch, Michael retired from acting because he found it 'hard' to 'look natural' on camera. He explained: 'If you didn't have to be there, why would you be? Let's be honest … there's not too many actors that have survived the years of working in Hollywood.'
He admitted there are negative sides to the industry that led to his exit.
Michael said: 'Having to deal with the people who scratch your name out on the script and put their name on there? That kind of thing … you never get used to that.'
Michael is survived by his wife, Sarah, and their son Chris and daughter Emily, as well as their granddaughter, Charlie.
Newman appeared in the 1999 movie Enemy Action with costars C Thomas Howell and Louis Mandylor.
The thriller was about two Air Force officers who are after a stolen high tech smart bomb.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
12 minutes ago
- Reuters
Austin Butler's cat-sitting gets hairy in Aronofsky's 'Caught Stealing'
LONDON, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Austin Butler tackles an action-heavy lead role in Darren Aronofsky's dark comedy crime caper "Caught Stealing". Set in New York in 1998, the "Elvis" actor plays Hank Thompson, whose promising baseball career was cut short by tragedy. Hank appears to have his life back on track, tending a dive bar and dating a cool and caring emergency medical technician (Zoe Kravitz). But when his British punk rocker neighbour Russ (Matt Smith) leaves his cat in his care while he's out of town, Hank suddenly finds himself in the crosshairs of the city's ruthless criminal gangs. Intense scenes ensue as Hank, with the cat in tow, tries to outwit the thugs. "There's a lot of running. There's a lot of action. I got the crap beat out of me. I got to run a lot," Butler said at the movie's London premiere on Tuesday, adding that Hank is also running away from his problems. "That's kind of a universal thing, whether it's reaching for a new relationship or a new job or whatever those things are that can keep you from feeling certain things. And in this, he's finally forced to face these things. That's the theme for me that resonates," Butler said. The film is based on the 2004 book of the same name by Charlie Huston, who also wrote the screenplay. "Black Swan" and "The Wrestler" director Aronofsky said he was after a new challenge following his 2022 drama "The Whale" and "wanted to have some fun". "Making something that's funny, that has a lot of jokes, you're lighter on your feet," he said. "When I read the book, I was excited and deeply moved by all the twists and turns, the action, the kind of energy on the streets. I wanted to give that back and bring it to life on the big screen." The project also marked a departure for "The Crown" and "House of the Dragon" star Smith. The British actor sports a towering brightly coloured mohawk on screen. But rather than Russ's hair, it was his pet that stole the limelight, said Butler. "The cat's the real star of the show. His name's Tonic and he's an amazing actor, an amazing little animal. I love him a lot." "Caught Stealing", which also stars Bad Bunny, Regina King, Liev Schreiber and Vincent D'onofrio, rolls out to cinemas globally on August 27.
Daily Mail
42 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
John Stamos stuns fans with hunky shirtless snap as he turns 62
John Stamos celebrated his 62nd birthday in little more than his birthday suit on Tuesday. The actor — who recently faced backlash for emceeing a charity event at President Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort — wasn't going to let anything, including clothes, get in his way of having a good time. 'A rooftop birthday shower in NYC to start the day,' wrote the Full House star next to a photo of him shirtless in a pair of black Calvin Klein briefs, which he posted to Instagram. 'At 62, I've learned the best things in life can't be washed away…laughter, love, and gratitude. Thank you for every wish and every year. I don't take a single drop for granted.' Former Full House co-star Candace Cameron Bure, 49, sent a sweet message. 'Happy birthday uncle J.' Stamos starred as Uncle Jesse in the hit ABC sitcom for nine years and reprised the role from 2016-2020 in Fuller House. John Stamos celebrated his 62nd birthday in little more than his birthday suit on Tuesday; seen in February 'Look at you up there making folks thirsty! Happy birthday bro! ❤️' wrote fellow musician and singer Richard Marx. 'I love this. A NY rooftop birthday shower!' said Rita Wilson. After taking a closer look, one fan asked, 'John, where's your belly button!!' as his naval appeared difficult to discern in the snap. '✨ Happy Birthday, Daddy! ✨,' wrote an excited fan. Stamos' son and wife also did their part in wishing him the happiest of birthdays. 'You say every day is your birthday and we do love to celebrate you all days, always, all ways! But today, we'll do a little extra,' Caitlin McHugh wrote to her husband of some seven years. 'Don't understand how you don't age with every passing year, but you do. Here's some favorite moments recently. Love You Love!' McHugh shared photos of family highlights from the past year in her social media tribute. One of the snaps included Stamos and son Billy, seven, on stage with Beach Boys legend Mike Love, 84. Another adorable pic included the actor and his son acting goofy together. 'John is just a real life super hero! i want to see him in an action role though since he already looks like one,' suggested a fan. 'HBD @johnstamos! May it be the best on yet!,' wrote actress Ciera Payton, who also wanted some advice for how to obtain the Unprisoned star's fountain of youth.
Daily Mail
42 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Tamar Braxton 'almost died' in horror accident that left her with 'broken nose' and 'lost teeth'
On Tuesday, Tamar Braxton revealed she suffered a shocking, near-death experience on Sunday. 'I struggled to write this but everyone keeps calling me and honestly, I can't even really talk anymore I'm so weak,' the 48-year-old presenter-singer-actor announced via Instastory. 'I almost died Sunday.' Tamar isn't sure exactly 'what happened' to her, but a friend discovered her lying 'in a pool of blood' with a facial injury. 'As the days go by, the worse it is,' Braxton lamented. 'I fractured my nose, lost some teeth, and mobility. The way I look at life now is totally different. As my health is on the mend, my mental journey begins. Pray for me for real.' The four-time Grammy nominee - who boasts 9.7M social media followers - also shared a passage from Proverbs 31 about strong women, and she thanked God 'for waking me up today.' It's unclear whether Tamar will recover in time to perform her next scheduled gig at FunkFest, which will be held at Wolf Creek Amphitheater in South Fulton, GA on September 27. Trey Songz, Ashanti, Young Dro, Youngbloodz, and Ro James are slated to headline the same concert. Maryland-born Braxton is mother to 12-year-old son Logan Vincent Herbert from her eight-year marriage to second ex-husband Vincent Herbert, which ended in 2019. The Fashion Nova brand ambassador is the youngest member of R&B girl group The Braxtons formed in 1989 with her sisters Trina, Towanda, Toni, and Traci - who passed away, at age 50, in 2022 from esophageal cancer. That same year, Toni underwent major heart surgery to install a coronary stent. The 57-year-old Un-Break My Heart belter is by far the most successful of her sisters, having won seven Grammy Awards and sold over 70M records worldwide. The talented quintet have dropped two studio albums So Many Ways (1996) and Braxton Family Christmas (2015), but it's unclear if We TV will be renewing their family reality show The Braxtons for a second season. Tamar scored her very own We TV spin-off series Tamar & Vince with her 53-year-old record exec ex, which aired from 2012-2017. Braxton lamented: As the days go by, the worse it is. I fractured my nose, lost some teeth, and mobility. The way I look at life now is totally different. As my health is on the mend, my mental journey begins. Pray for me for real' The four-time Grammy nominee - who boasts 9.7M social media followers - also shared a passage from Proverbs 31 about strong women, and she thanked God 'for waking me up today' The Fashion Nova brand ambassador is the youngest member of R&B girl group The Braxtons formed in 1989 with her sisters Trina, Towanda, Toni, and Traci (2-L, pictured in 2011) - who passed away, at age 50, in 2022 from esophageal cancer Braxton - who won season two of CBS' Celebrity Big Brother - also used to serve as co-host on syndicated talk show The Real between 2013-2016. The two-time Daytime Emmy Award nominee currently hosts the investigative relationship series Caught in the Act: Double Life, which airs Tuesdays on MTV. Tamar - who gets 729K monthly listeners on Spotify - has released five solo studio albums since 2000, including Love and War, which reached the No. 2 position on the US Billboard 200 chart in 2013.
