Baywatch star Michael Newman has died at the age of 68 from heart complications after a nearly 20-year-long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Newman’s friend and former Baywatch co-worker, director Matthew Felker, announced the news on social media. “I lost my hero yesterday. As I told him before he left this earth. I will see you again. I promise,” he wrote.

Felker confirmed to People that Newman passed away Sunday (Oct. 20) from heart complications. He was surrounded by friends and family at the time of his death.

Newman starred in the hit 1989 series Baywatch alongside David Hasselhoff, Pamela Anderson and Carmen Electra. The actor started out as a stuntman on the show due to his previous experience as a lifeguard until he was later cast in the series. “I was too useful for them to get rid of me,” he said, per The Daily Mail. Newman appeared in 150 episodes before the show ended in 2000, the most of any Baywatch star besides Hasselhoff.

He later reprised his role for Baywatch Nights and Baywatch: Panic at Malibu Pier. Newman had few acting credits outside of the franchise and eventually retired after Baywatch ended in 2000, citing issues he had with the acting industry. He also worked as a full-time firefighter for over 25 years before retiring.

Newman was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2006. According to People, Newman spent his final years raising money with the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

He spoke openly about the disease in the Hulu Baywatch docuseries, After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun, which was directed by Felker. “This terminal disease has allowed me a lot of thinking time, which I maybe didn’t want, but it’s brought me wisdom,” he told People ahead of the documentary.

In his statement on social media, Felker explained that he and Newman became close while working on After Baywatch.

“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,” Felker wrote. “We succeeded together pulling something off that was nearly impossible against hurdles you wouldn’t believe.”

Felker wrote that he saw Newman in his final days and shared letters and videos from friends.

“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,'” he said. “A few days later. I lost my friend.”

Newman is survived by his wife, Sarah, their two children Chris and Emily, and their granddaughter Charlie.