Latest news with #PaulNichols
Wales Online
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Baywatch legend who saved show from cancellation dies at home aged 73
Baywatch legend who saved show from cancellation dies at home aged 73 Paul Nichols, who is credited with saving Baywatch from the axe, has died at the age of 73, just 12 days after the death of his wife of 31 years, Linda The 1997 The cast of the hit television series "Baywatch" (Image: Getty Images ) Paul Nichols, the Baywatch legend who played a pivotal role in rescuing the show from cancellation, has passed away. The star died at his home in Weatherford, Texas, with his death occurring on March 14, although it was only recently announced by his family. His wife of 31 years, Linda, had died just 12 days before him. Currently, no cause of death has been revealed. Back in 1991, while working for The Lippen Group, Nichols was instrumental in the resurgence of 'Baywatch' by helping All American Television in moving the show to first-run syndication. This move rejuvenated the series after NBC had dropped it following its debut season. Paul Nichols, the veteran publicist has died at his home in Weatherford His strategic move ensured the survival and subsequent success of the series, which went on to run until 2001, starring David Hasselhoff and becoming an international sensation. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter Les Eisner, a fellow publicist, praised Nichols' impact in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, noting that he "was largely responsible for branding [Baywatch] as the world's most-watched TV series. Whether that was true or not, who knows? But it stuck." Article continues below Although the significance of Nichols' contribution to 'Baywatch' might not have been immediately apparent in 1991, by 1996, the show was reportedly attracting a staggering 1.1 billion viewers weekly, according to the Express, reports the Irish Mirror. 'Baywatch' continues to hold the esteemed Guinness World Record for being the most-watched TV show worldwide. Broadcast in 142 countries and translated into 44 languages, the series' success led to the creation of a spin-off, 'Baywatch Nights', and a feature film in 2017. The show didn't just pull in viewers; it catapulted its cast to international stardom. David Hasselhoff, already known for 'Knight Rider', became a global icon through 'Baywatch', which also introduced talents like Pamela Anderson and Donna D'Errico to a broader audience. Born on March 22, 1948, in Delaware, Paul graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism from Penn State University in 1970. He began his career as a DJ before landing a role on the renowned talk show The Mike Douglas Show in Philadelphia. In 1980, he moved to California to work for John Davidson, Douglas' successor. His impressive career also included stints at Group W, All American Television and Sony Pictures Television. Paul's wife Linda, who sadly passed away on March 2 aged 77, held a senior role at the TV marketing association Promax. After retiring, the couple relocated to Texas to be closer to her family. Paul is survived by his brother Robert, sister-in-law Denise, nephews Steve and James, and niece Caitlin. Article continues below
Daily Mail
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Baywatch icon who worked with Pamela Anderson dies at age 77... just 12 days after his wife's death
A legendary publicist who was responsible for building Baywatch into one of television's most iconic series has passed away. Paul Nichols died at his home in Weatherford, Texas, on March 14 aged 77. No cause of death has yet been disclosed. 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. Nichols was a publicist working at The Lippen Group in 1991 and worked tirelessly to stop the show from being cancelled and instead become syndicated globally. The series went on to become a powerhouse money-maker, generating $70million and attracting a weekly audience of 1.1 billion in 142 countries at its peak. Baywatch aired from 1989 until 2001 with 241 episodes in all. The beach drama starred David Hasselhoff, Pamela Anderson, Yasmine Bleeth and Nicole Eggert. The show focused on Lt. Mitch Buchannon (Hasselhoff), who was the dedicated leader of a group of lifeguards on Malibu Beach in Los Angeles. Although this prime-time soap opera featured a lot of sand, sun and bikinis, it also tackled many serious themes and had multifaceted characters. There was also a Baywatch 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. It comes after Baywatch actor Michael Newman died at the age of 68 in October. He was best known for his role as lifeguard Mike 'Newmie' Newman on the hit TV series. 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 disease in 2006 at the age of 50. 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 appearances of any character, with the exception of main star David Hasselhoff. The actor was also working as a full-time firefighter while starring on Baywatch. His struggle with Parkinson's disease was mentioned on the recent documentary After 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, their son Chris and daughter Emily, as well as granddaughter Charlie. Newman appeared in the 1999 movie Enemy Action with co-stars C Thomas Howell and Louis Mandylor. The thriller was about two Air Force officers who are after a stolen high-tech smart bomb.
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Baywatch icon who worked with Pamela Anderson dies at age 77... just 12 days after his wife's death
A iconic figure behind the Baywatch TV series has passed away at t he age of 77. 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.
Irish Daily Mirror
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Baywatch legend dies just 12 days after his wife
Baywatch legend Paul Nichols, who saved the show from being axed, has died. The star died at his home in Weatherford, Texas, a number of weeks ago. He died on March 14 but his family only now made the news public. Only 12 days before he died, his wife of 31 years, Linda, passed away. No cause of death has been disclosed as of yet. In 1991, Nichols, then working for The Lippen Group, played a crucial role in the revival of 'Baywatch' by helping All American Television shift it into first-run syndication. This savvy move breathed new life into the series that NBC had dropped after its initial season. Thanks to his efforts, the show not only survived but thrived, continuing for another decade until 2001 under the watch of David Hasselhoff and sparking a global phenomenon. Fellow publicist Les Eisner lauded Nichols' influence to The Hollywood Reporter, saying he "was largely responsible for branding [Baywatch] as the world's most-watched TV series. Whether that was true or not, who knows? But it stuck." While Paul's life-saving intervention for 'Baywatch' might not have seemed fully validated in 1991, by 1996, the series was reportedly pulling in an incredible 1.1 billion viewers each week, reports the Express. To this day, 'Baywatch' retains the prestigious Guinness World Record for being the most-watched TV show across the globe. With a reach spanning 142 countries and available in 44 languages, the show's success spawned the spin-off series 'Baywatch Nights' and a feature film in 2017. Paul Nichols, the veteran publicist who saved Baywatch from cancellation, has died But it wasn't just about viewership; 'Baywatch' turned its cast into international sensations. While David Hasselhoff had already gained fame via 'Knight Rider,' it was 'Baywatch' that cemented him as a global icon, and it introduced stars like Pamela Anderson and Donna D'Errico to the wider world. Born on March 22, 1948, in Delaware, Paul earned his degree in broadcast journalism from Penn State University in 1970. He kicked off his career as a DJ before securing a role at the renowned talk show The Mike Douglas Show, based in Philadelphia. In 1980, he relocated to California to work for John Davidson, Douglas' talk-show successor. Throughout his illustrious career, he also worked with Group W, All American Television and Sony Pictures Television. Paul's wife Linda, who passed away on March 2 at the age of 77, held a senior position at the TV marketing association Promax. After hanging up their professional hats, the couple moved to Texas to be nearer to her family. He leaves behind his brother Robert, sister-in-law Denise, nephews Steve and James, and niece Caitlin. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
